From Ian:
IDF Blog: Pillar Of Defense: Fifth Day Recap VIDEO
IDF Hijacks Hamas Radio, is Broadcasting Warnings to Gaza Population
Fighting wars in a minefield of lawyers
"Former top IDF international law head emphasizes the legal battles the military faces in choosing targets.
Libman said that an international lawyer’s job was to navigate the “gray areas” that characterized many disputed aspects of the law of armed conflict, always striving to be in keeping with the “spirit of the law.”
It was crucial, Libman said, that the IDF adhere to and “guard our [country’s] values,” since success could only be achieved in this and future operations by defending the “value we place on human life.”
An Arab View... by Khaled Abu Toameh
"This hostility is the direct result of years of anti-Israel and anti-Western incitement in the Arab and Muslim world -- not only toward Israel but also toward the United States. In today's world of the Palestinians, anyone who talks about peace with Israel is a traitor and a collaborator; but anyone who calls for the destruction of Israel and fires rockets at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is a hero."
Only disproportionate deterrence will offset Hamas by Isi Leibler
We must recognize that in future conflicts, the terrorists will continue accumulating more effective and lethal weapons to employ against us.
"We must therefore endeavor to resist calls for a cease-fire until such time as Hamas, in conjunction with the Egyptians, undertake to cease their aggression.
There must be a clear understanding that any breach would result in harsh “disproportionate” Israeli responses including the targeted killings of those responsible for initiating attacks. In the absence of such an agreement an enforced cease-fire will be perceived as a major victory for Hamas and our citizens will simply return to the life of terror they endured since the first Kassams were launched a decade ago."
Reflections on Current Hamas-Israel Hostilities by Daniel Pipes
Melanie Phillips: Here is the (real) news
“So with Israel having faced existential attack from the Arab and Muslim world for the six decades of its existence, and having been under intensive rocket, missile and human bomb attack from them for more than a decade, the BBC Any Questions production team selected as the audience question to launch its discussion of the Gaza war whether Israel actually deserved to exist at all.” (inc. an EOZ link)
The Era of Dictators Moves to the Era of Islamists by Douglas Murray
The constant, unabated terrorizing of Israelis does not interest the international community and the media. They only become interested once Israel responds to such attacks.
"The cards may be familiar, but the game has changed: the stakes are higher. A great shift is occurring across the region. We appear to be moving from the era of the dictators to the era of the Islamists.
Whatever is to come, Israel will need her friends abroad, for she has none nearby.”
PMW: Hamas disinformation: Israel's international airport closed, planes redirected to secret base
Hamas video threatening Israelis draws more parody than fear
Due to the video's bad translation and technical problems, it has become one of the hottest parodies on the web.
Fear, rage and resilience in Kiryat Malachi amid the rocket fire
Sirens interrupt rocket victim’s funeral
"While Eitan declares that the terrorists “want to rain fear on us, but they won’t succeed,” the chants of the crowd and the sound of the siren linger in the air. For the roomful of mourners, the next rocket is not far away."
Israeli government websites under mass hacking attack
More than 44 million hacking attempts have been made on Israeli government web sites since Wednesday when Israel began its Gaza air strikes, the government said on Sunday.
Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said just one hacking attempt was successful on a site he did not want to name, but it was up and running after 10 minutes of downtime.
Senator Graham threatens US will cut off Egypt aid unless it reins in Hamas
Joseph Lieberman downplays risk of Israeli ground incursion
J Street calls on Obama to show ‘greater leadership’ on Gaza, peace process
Left-wing Jewish group says it rejects the idea that ‘the US can’t want peace more than the parties themselves’
Lovitz Stands Up for Israel, Slams 'Terrorist' Hamas
"It's also sad to hear Americans defend Hamas, a terrorist organization. Israel has a right to defend its citizens."
Israelis open homes, schools to families from the south
People are opening homes and hearts to residents of Israeli communities seeking respite from the constant missile attacks.
"Not only soldiers sprang into action the moment Israel’s military launched Operation Pillar of Defense in response to incessant rocket fire from Gaza. Israeli civilians in the center and north of the country also responded by offering Mideast hospitality to families wishing to escape the stress and trauma for a night, a weekend or longer.
“The day everything started, we got families to sign up as hosts,” says Keren Claster, assistant to the mayor of Efrat, south of Jerusalem. “We’re also gathering toys and books to send to shelters in the South.”
Sites like ‘Life Under Fire’ bring home rocket reality
High-tech experts introduce videos, web pages, and other info to help Israelis stay safe, and help the rest of the world understand what is unfolding
Islamic Jihad warns Muslims: Beware, your sexy Facebook friend could be a Mossad agent
Arab youths set up Jew stabbing cell
Arrest of 17-year-old east Jerusalem resident suspected of stabbing Abraham Tau two weeks exposes terror cell
Police suspect that the teenagers' actions were nationalistically motivated and carried out under the auspices of an organization called "Lovers of the Land," which aims to physically harm Jewish residents of the city.
France: Muslim Student Attacks Professor Who Didn't Respect Islam
"Vive Bin Laden! Vive Merah! All Jews to the Ovens!"
These graffiti slogans, along with some swastikas and other symbols, were found on a wall in Caluire, an area of Lyon especially associated with the French resistance to the Nazis.
His mother's from Surbiton but he was blown up near the border with Gaza
"Family of British-Israeli soldier relive the attack that helped trigger the current crisis
Until last week, the British-Israeli soldier Shimon Alankri, 20, was in peak fitness, serving with the army's Sayeret Givati unit on routine patrol along Israel's border fence with Gaza. Then, on 10 November, a cell from the Gaza Popular Resistance Committees fired a guided anti-tank missile at his jeep. The missile blasted straight through the vehicle and out the other side, wounding them all.
It proved to be one of the triggers that led to Israel's Operation Pillar of Defence, a fierce offensive that has divided opinion abroad, but has proved deeply popular in Israel as the country heads towards elections in January."
Also, didn't want to forget this great example of how Israelis take the rockets with humor: (h/t Stan)
And:
Daphne Anson: It's Been A Weekend Of Disproportionate Bias On The BBC
CAMERA: CNN Whitewashes Hamas
Video: CNN's Ashleigh Banfield: Jerusalem 'Is Not The Capital' of Israel
MSNBC downplays danger from Hamas rockets to Michael Oren
Photos of pro-Israel demonstration in LA
(h/t O)