Bush To Israel: How About A Mega Radar System?

In order to help bolster Israel's defenses against "less than friendly" neighbors (both near and far), President Bush is giving Israel a powerful new radar system that should compliment its missile defense shield quite nicely.

(Ynet News) The system Bush may offer is known as a forward-based X-band radar and has been described by US officials as capable of tracking an object the size of a baseball from about 2,900 miles away.

It would let Israel's Arrow missile defenses engage a Shahab-3 ballistic missile about halfway through what would be its 11-minute flight to Israel from Iran, or six times sooner than Israel's "Green Pine" Radar is currently capable of doing, Kirk said on Friday.

"This is the best thing to lower tensions between Israel and Iran" because Iran presumably would be less likely to attack under such circumstances, Kirk said.

While the radar system will help reduce the threat against Israel from Iran, it should also help the tiny Jewish state combat rockets being launched from Gaza as well as from the hostile regions inside of Judea and Samaria (aka the West Bank).

Video: Israel's Guardium (Think Batmobile Minus Batman)

(Hat Tip: Gizmodo)

As any Israelis soldier knows, their is nothing "romantic" about patrolling a hostile border along the Israeli security fence. Especially when you have insurgents focused on causing you harm.

But instead of sending out soldiers to confront those who seek to trespass the security fence, Israel may end up sending a robotic rover courtesy of the Israel Aerospace Industries.

(Video: Animation coupled with real footage showing how The Guardium can help thwart potential terrorist attacks. Credit: Israel Aerospace Industries)

(Fox News) The Guardium, an unmanned ground vehicle commissioned by the Israeli military and shown to The Associated Press on Monday, is essentially a robotic soldier, among the first in the world to be operational. It can replace human soldiers in dangerous roles, cutting casualty rates.

Like the pilotless drones that have become a mainstay of air forces in Israel, the U.S. and elsewhere, the four-wheeled Guardium is operated from a command room that can be far from the front line.

It can be mounted with cameras, night-vision equipment and sensors, as well as more lethal tools like machine guns.

Following pre-programmed routes, it can navigate alone through cities — the vehicle knows how to deal with intersections, traffic and road markings. It can patrol borders, its cameras scanning 360 degrees at all times, and alert operators if it spots anything suspicious.

The Guardium costs around $600,000 for the vehicle alone--millions more if one includes ammunition and software to run this vehicle.

Even though its not battle tested yet, hopefully the Israeli's will be able to launch several dozen of these (note: with a group discount included) as it could not only save lives for Israeli Defense Forces patrolling the border, but also their enemies as it may prove to be a useful deterrent.

IDF Special: Jewish Pop Star Signs Up For Service

While usually known for enlisting youth from various backgrounds, it looks as if the IDF will be adding a pop singer to its ranks.

(Forward.com) Maya Buskila, an Israeli pop star more than a decade past the average age of enlistment, will join the Israeli army April 13, just as the marketing campaign for her latest album kicks into gear. The singer’s enlistment, announced by her record company, will make Buskila one of the most famous — and one of the oldest — new recruits to the military, where soldiers are typically taken shortly after they turn 18. [...]

Buskila, who will release the first single off her next album after Passover, will undergo two weeks of basic training and is expected to serve as an entertainer during her two years of service.

The IDF soldiers will probably enjoy hearing some music from Maya Buskila, although it will be interesting to see if she comes up with any new music while going through basic training.

According to the article, Maya Buskila is looking forward towards her new adventure as a soldier, and although I would not be too surprised to see the IDF promoting her decision to enlist within Israel.

More Orthodox Jews Joining The Israeli Air Force?

Haredi (or Orthodox Jews) are one of the few Israeli citizens exempt from mandatory service within the Israeli defense forces (or IDF). While most Israeli's are expected to serve within the military, Orthodox Jews are often given the option to abstain in order to continue their religious studies.

Despite the above option afforded to them, it seems as if 40 Orthodox Jews have decided to help defend their country by enlisting in the Israeli Air Force.

(Ynet News) The first ever group of Orthodox Jews was recruited into the Israel Air Force (IAF) last week as part of project "Blue Dawn", Yedioth Ahronoth reported Sunday.

In the framework of the project, 40 haredi men who had drooped out of their yeshiva studies, received training in areas such as aircraft maintenance, mechanics and the arming of fighter jets and helicopters. The recruits all have a low medical profile and cannot serve in combat positions.

Although there was some objection to this by the Haredi, overall this is probably a good sign for Israel. The IDF is already beginning to recruit Orthodox Jews from the Diaspora, which should help the tiny Jewish state defend itself against is rowdy neighbors.

Israel Schools An "English Nation" About Spy Drones?

(Hat Tip: Danger Room)

When it comes to building air borne drones to discover whether locals nearby love you "or not," one may be hard pressed to find a better training facility than Elbit Systems.

Headquartered in Haifa, this school seems to be in great demand by an "English speaking nation."

(Defense News) What began in Haifa, Israel, as an ad hoc service to customers of Elbit’s Hermes line of UAVs has evolved in recent years — driven by customer demand — into a multidisciplinary training school. Instructors such as Yoni Peleg, Elbit's flight test and air operations director, are typically reservists in the Israel Air Force specializing in UAV operations, payloads and mission planning. [...]

"Many students come to us with no prior experience or no knowledge of basic principles of aviation and electronics. Our preparatory syllabus is designed to fill those gaps," said Itai Toren, Elbit's director for UAV programs.

Toren and other company officials declined to discuss their student roster or specific training packages purchased by customer nations. He noted, however, that the seeds for the UAV training school appeared in late 2000, when the company was required to put together an extensive training program for an English-speaking customer nation that he would not identify.

At first glance one would assume this to be the United States, but it seems as if this school has also graduated people from Australia, England and Canada as well.

Regardless who their main customer is, teaching people on how to use drones will help cut down on causalities, as it is much easier to lose a robot than a person in battle.

Dozens Of Nations Rally For Missing IDF Troops

It looks as if sympathy for missing IDF troops is not just limited in America, Israel and France.

Rallies for Eldad Regev, Ehud Goldwasser, and Gilad Shalit have been forming across the planet in almost four dozen nations, in an attempt to raise awareness about the fate of the missing soldiers.

(Ynet News) Tens of thousands will hold simultaneous marches for release of captive Israeli soldiers. In New York students will protest in front of UN headquarters, in Uruguay the demonstration will head for the Iranian embassy [...]

The initiative will reach its apex on Tuesday evening at 21:00 (in Israel) when rallies will be held simultaneously in over 45 countries in a show of solidarity with the kidnapped Israeli soldiers and their families.

The first rally was kick started in Jerusalem with 3,000 young people participating to make their voices heard.

Unlike many nations where the memory of missing soldiers often fades with time, Israel seems to keep the images of their own in the public limelight, which speaks great volumes about the Israeli culture there.

Hopefully these men are found not only very soon, but safely as well.

Note: Here is a song created by Yair Gordon (from South Africa) in memory of prayer for and solidarity with the missing troops.


powered by ODEO

Note: Lyrics to this song can be found over at: http://milleniumhand247.googlepages.com/

Update (10/30): Fixed error with audio, as well as changed a few words to highlight this authors (and many others) belief that the missing soldiers are still alive. Thanks Yair!

US Pentagon: Israel To Have Stealth Planes By 2012

The US Pentagon has decided to speed up shipment of the much anticipated Joint Strike Fighter towards Israel, who originally was suppose to receive it by 2014. While an earlier shipment is delicious in itself, the icing of the cake is that Israel will be allowed to "slightly tweak" the craft to its own preferences.

(Israel Insider) "This plane can fly into downtown Teheran without anyone even knowing about it since it can't be detected on radar," the Jerusalem Post quoted a senior Israeli defense official as saying. [...]

The defense minister also managed to persuade the Americans to allow Israel to install its own unique technology in the aircraft, which had been a major point of dispute between the Defense Ministry and the Pentagon, defense officials said.

According to the article, Israel would receive every third jet which would enable the Jewish state to maintain enough of these aircraft to easily defend its own borders.

Since When Did The French Support IDF Captives?

In a surprising move for a nation known for its sharp tongue against Israel, it looks as if the nation of France has inaugurated a site dedicated to the missing IDF soldiers--an event that has touched the lives of the families seeking the return of their loved ones.

(Ynet News) "In our previous meeting with Paris' mayor, we asked to display photos of our sons near city hall. The mayor was very attentive and promised to do something, and today he delivered," Noam Shalit said. "The photos have not been displayed near city hall, but they are located in a park where thousands of people and families visit every weekend."

"This is a significant gesture for us and it should not be taken for granted," Shalit added. "Gilad is indeed a French national, but Eldad and Udi are not, and what was done today touched us greatly."

This monument will hopefully enlighten French citizens on the situation regarding the missing solders, as well as help build sympathy for their whereabouts in the middle east.

Note: To my knowledge, France has close relations with many Arabian nations, and this move may be a sign that France is interested in helping Israel recover its missing soldiers.

Video: Israel Anti-Missile Defense Shield By 2009

In order to protect its citizens from the "various presents" from the sky being sent over by its "lovable" neighbors, the government of Israel has been developing an anti-missile shield with the help of the US.

(Israel Times) Ehud Barak and General Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi announced before the Knesset this week that the anti-missile and anti-rocket grid should be 90 percent efficient before 2009. [...]

Iron Dome and Arrow are the name of the defense mecanism to protect Israel from incoming ballistics. Both systems are jointly developed by Israel and the U.S. The Arrow 2 system intercepts large ballistic missiles thanks to anti-missile stations spread accross the territory. The Iron Dome system is based on Tactical High-Energy Laser using deuterium fluoride laser (chemical laser) technologies to destroy the incoming targets.

This live demonstration will hopefully relieve some of the fears of those living in Israel, as they have more important things to think about such as making solar homes affordable, fixing Glaucoma eyes, creating Terabyte DVD's, improving Google, building flying cars, rediscovering holy anti-viruses, powering the world through fungus,...

150 Americans Sign Up For Israeli Defense Forces

What makes this story more interesting is the fact that these are teenagers, who decided to emigrate towards Israel in order to defend the country, not just merely live there.

(Israel National News) In the coming months 150 new immigrants from the United States will be drafted into the IDF, representing the largest number of new recruits from the US to ever enlist in the IDF in a single draft.

"As opposed to the phenomenon of evasion we are witnessing in Israel, in the United States we met young men and women whose hearts are filled with the will to volunteer and sacrifice for the state," said Tzvika Levy, who oversees those making Aliyah in order to join the IDF.

This is great news for Israel, although I pray that those teenagers stay safe in the coming months.

Video: A New Way To Educate Palestinian Kids

(Hat Tip: One Jerusalem)

It looks like an Israeli soldier found an interesting way to instruct Palestinian kids on what it means to be...well...Israeli.

Note: I thought I'd never see the day that life imitated art. If only...

India See's Israel As A "Preferred Ally"

Although there seems to be some "squawking" amongst the Indian left, the government of India has reaffirmed that the ties between the Asian sub-continent and Israel will remain strong--at least militarily.

(The Economic Times) The Left may be seeking the downgrading of New Delhi's ties with Tel Aviv, but Israel continues to be India's preferred destination for accessing arms and weapons systems. Defence minister A K Antony told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that that over $5-billion worth of defence purchases were made from Israel between 2002 and 2007. [...]

The decision to strengthen ties with Israel is a clear rejection of the Left's demand for ending military cooperation with Tel Aviv. As Israel plays a key role in the conclusion of over 200 agreements for agricultural development in crucial areas like drip irrigation, greenhouse technology and horticulture in India, the UPA government considers it as a valuable ally.

Although the main reason India is seeking to maintain these ties is because of military interests, their eyes seem to be focusing attention on Israel's "greener side."

Known for hosting well over a billion residents, India can ill-afford to sideline a friend like Israel, especially one who seeks to benefit the world's largest democracy.

Orthodox Jews From Diaspora Joining IDF

(Image: IDF members of a Nahal Haredi unit in prayer. Credit: IDF, via JTA.org)

Outside of Israel, Orthodox Jews are often viewed as what the average Israeli citizens looks like (a common misconception that frustrates some of my Jewish friends).

Ironically, although all Israeli's are required to enlist in the military service, Orthodox Jews (to my knowledge) are exempt for spiritual reasons. Now it seems as if one Israeli from the Diaspora is trying to change all of this by encouraging spiritual Jews to enlist.

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency) Taylor, 20, is a volunteer from Los Angeles serving in an infantry battalion of Torah-observant and predominantly fervently Orthodox soldiers. His unit, Nahal Haredi, plans to launch an advertising campaign this summer in major Jewish newspapers in the United States and Britain seeking more foreign recruits.

Taylor is among the more than 14,000 American Jews from across the religious spectrum serving in the Jewish state's military. According to Israeli government statistics, 4,419 are on active duty and 9,831 are in the reserves.

"I love the fact that I can fully live out my Jewish values while at the same time protecting Israel," Taylor says.

This is a good sign, and hopefully Taylor's campaign will encourage not only more Jews from the Diaspora to join the IDF, but Orthodox Jews living within Israel to enlist as well.

Currently the military unit is composed of men only (as to my knowledge Orthodox men do not enjoy their women getting shot at). Composure aside, units like these seem to be highly motivated, with many of them committing Aliyah.

You can find out more info regarding these Orthodox units at NahalHaredi.org.

Dinner Raises Millions For IDF

The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces hosted a fund raising dinner in which $18 million was raised on behalf of soldiers defending Israel.

(Jerusalem Post) Leading the contributions this year was Israeli-American media mogul Haim Saban who pledged $3.2m. Guests at the event included Executive Vice President of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Malcolm Hoenlein, AIPAC President Howard Friedman, President and CEO of Israel Bonds Yehoshua Matza, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel, renowned Israeli performer Dudu Fisher, and American businessman Donald Trump who contributed $250,000. Israel's Consul General in New York Arye Mekel as well as Israel's defense attache to the US Major General Dan Harel were among representatives of the Israeli government at the affair.

You can find more information on who gave what over here. It seems as if this dinner was a great way to kick off the year, as the Friends of IDF were able to raise $46 million in 2006.

With a third of that amount already raised thus far (and it only being April) lets hope the group shatters their record and raises close to $50 million for these brave individuals defending the Jewish state.

Video: Skeetshooting In Israel

Only. If. (via YouTube)

This kinda reminds me of the other video. Having been to Palestine, I can easily say that seeing a site like this is probably unlikely.

But that doesn't mean that the possibility isn't out there.

Anti-Kassam And Anti-Katyusha Defense, Anyone?

It looks like Israel is shelling out $300 million in order to protect Israeli citizens from anti-Kassam and anti-Katyusha rockets.

(Israel Reporter) The defense establishment plans to make an official decision in the coming days to invest $300 million in an anti-Kassam and anti-Katyusha defense system under development by Rafael - Israel’s Armament Development Authority. According to the plan, a combination of a laser and an anti-Kassam missile interceptor will be operational for deployment outside the Gaza Strip within a year and a half.

Originally Israel was going to contract a US company to develop an anti-missile system via lasers, but decided against the idea because their laser was "environmentally unfriendly."

The Israeli laser missile combo should help defend the homeland against another attack, although I wonder what it would look like to see one of these shoot down an enemy missile out of the sky?

Note: I'm not desiring another attack, but if G-d forbid another one happened, it would be neat to see this Israeli technology defending their homeland in the sky.

Is Hezbollah Defending Israel?

If so that's a first.

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency) Hezbollah reportedly has thwarted planned Palestinian attacks on Israel.

Sultan Abu al-Einin, the Fatah movement’s secretary-general in Lebanon, told the Nazareth-based newspaper Kul al-Arab that four attacks Palestinians in Lebanon planned to carry out along Israel’s northern border had been blocked by Hezbollah, which engaged Israel in a war this summer that proved devastating for Lebanon.

Perhaps this is a sign that Israel did more damage to Hezbollah than everyone initially thought?

Should Israel Join NATO And EU?

Joseph Lieberman, a senator from Connecticut, USA is suggesting that Israel should join both NATO as well as the EU as a means of protection.

(Jerusalem Post) "The political and security goal of the State of Israel for the next month needs to be clear: joining NATO and entering the European Union," Lieberman told Israel Radio in an interview.

"The war we're fighting in the Middle East is not Israel's war, but the entire free world's [war], and we are standing on the frontlines," he said.

I don't know about the EU, but I think joining NATO would be a good idea, as the US is considered a strong ally of Israel. But then again, isn't NATO only for nations near the Atlantic ocean?

A Brave Israeli Girl

(Hat Tip: Israelity)

A brave Israeli is deciding to head back up north in order to visit her home again.

(Melly-All Kinds of Writings) Tomorrow will be a week since we left northern Israel's war zone. By now everybody's feeling homesick and is willing to risk a couple of days at home with the sirens, the rockets, the explosions and the blasts. [...]

I have mixed feelings about going back north, of course, but even I feel the need for some home comforts in between the sirens and the rockets.

Hopefully her trip is a safe one, although she is considering volunteering in order to help out some Israelis still stuck in bomb shelters.

(Melly-All Kinds of Writings) I've been toying with the idea of volunteering to supply food in shelters around more northern towns where only the elderly and people with less means remained (it is estimated that about 2/3 of the northern population left the north). I don't know if I'm courageous enough to do this, though. Hopping between one rocket to the next to supply food, TP and water. I'll keep you posted.

Hopefully Melly can stay safe and comfort other along the way. My prayers (along with every other Israeli lover) are with you.

Israeli Couple Gets Married In Bomb Shelter

Not exactly the best place to celebrate the special occasion with the one you love, but these are interesting times in Israel, so any place will do.

(JTA.org) Shlomi Boskila and Maya Lugasi wed July 20 in northern Israel in the shelter because of ongoing Hezbollah rocket attacks, The Associated Press reported.

"This shows Hezbollah and Nasrallah that not even 20,000 missiles can destroy the happiness of the bride and groom," said Boskila, referring to HezbollahÂ’s leader, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah.

Best wishes for the bride and groom, although I wonder where they are going to spend the honey moon?