On 3rd of this month, Jerusalem Battalions, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s military wing claimed responsibility ( sharing it with Fatah) for launching 9 Kassam rockets from the area around Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. Eight rockets were fired between 6 am and 9.30 am at Sderot at a time when children with their parents were on their way to kindergarten and school - this being the second day of the the school year.

So frequent have been attacks, the schools in Sderot are furnished with metal desks for the children to seek protection under, rather than risk running to bomb shelters.

Whilst Hamas took over the Gaza Strip it has not directly participated in rocket fire, but has fired mortar shells at the security fence and the crossings, and has enabled the PIJ and small groups to fire rockets, even using its media empire to encourage them.

After the volleys of rockets fired on September 3 a spokesmen (calling himself “Abu Ahmad”) for the Jerusalem Battalions, the organization's terrorist operative wing, said that the attack was deliberately intended to disrupt the beginning of the Israeli school year

A posting which appeared on PalToday (one of the PIJ's Websites) headlined: “Rockets of the [ Jerusalem ] Battalions met the Sderot children when their new school year began.”

In past month alone: 29 rockets and 12 mortar shells have been fired at Israel’s cities.

Regards,

Danielle, so, you know a situation in general and to seme extent in particular.

The next step is to tell a word on how a “You cease-we fire” reality might be stopped by the Israelis – especially, have Arafatiya / Hamastan achieved independence at full scale.

MichaelK,

The logical step is for the PA to recognise the right of Israel to exist. Unfortunately Hamas won’t. But recognition of Israel and a true cease fire would see the tensions between Israel and the Palestinians cease.

The Palestinians should forget Israel, their priority should be in setting up their state.

Unfortunately a tragedy being played out in Palestine now. As we know, Arafat stole $USbillions of aid intended for the Palestinians. He kept them in a parlous state for propoganda, whilst keeping up the rage against Israel, yet seemingly wanting peace. His ability to keep so many balls in the air must be the admiration of any circus performer.

Any terrorists in the Palestinian state - and I mean those who are keep their own people in fear, should be disarmed and controled. But how? I can’t see the UN getting involved. Yet, the situation is critical.

Kaled Abu Toameh a Middle Eastern journalist, drawing on a survey, conducted by the Center for Opinion Polls and Survey Studies at An-Najah University in Nablus reported that 92% of respondents feel insecure because of the growing lawlessness in the PA-run areas.

Palestinians need, and have the opportunity, to build the infrastructure of a democratic state. They control the Gaza Strip and the population centers of the West Bank. However, due to the killing and terror of Palestinian killing Palestinian, tens of thousands have left or are trying to emigrate.

Palestinian sources report, as many as 80,000 people have departed the territories since the Palestinian War began in September 2000. A Bir Zeit University study found that 32 percent of Palestinians, and 44 percent of young Palestinians, would emigrate if they could.

This is a tragic loss of faith in the hope of a Palestinain State; and with it a brain drain, loss of industry, and departure of many talented and gifted Palestinians, who are desperately needed,

cont ..

Sources in the PA Foreign Ministry stated 10,000 Palestinians have filed requests, and been approved, to emigrate from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip since the beginning of 2007:

"According to our statistics, there are at least 45,000 emigration applications being reviewed by different countries." The majority being the US, EU and Canada

Palestinians have also moved to Israel because they would rather live in a democracy than a theocratic mobocracy. (Larry Derfner, “Jerusalem Undivided” U.S.News & World Report, June 3, 2007).

ARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press, reports that emigration from Gaza, in particular, has increased. Clashes between rival militias intensified after Hamas came to power in March, ousting the Fatah movement. A recent poll indicated that the number of young Palestinians wishing to leave has risen from 25 percent to 44 percent over two years.

Many are skilled and well educated. Creating the needed infrastructure would provide jobs for them.

Businesses are leaving

More than 20 factories have moved out of Gaza in recent months. Mohammed al-Kidwa, governor of Gaza City confirms that 35 factory owners applied to relocate.

So high are the numbers leaving, Palestinian Authority's mufti has issued a fatwa: "No Permission to Emigrate from Palestine,"

The fatwa reads:

"There has been much talk in Palestine about emigration, especially among the young people, due to the difficult security and economic situation. This is being done in search of a better life abroad. Many are continuing to rush to the gates of the embassies and consulates of the Western nations with requests for visas in order to reside permanently in those countries.

"We hereby declare that emigration from the blessed lands is not permitted according to religious law. The people living in these areas must remain in their homes and must not leave them to conquerors. Those who abide by this ruling will perform an honorable deed and will support the Aksa Mosque."

However, Muslims are permitted to travel abroad temporarily for study and work "as long as they are committed to returning and living in the blessed lands."

Today, article about “Young Bomber on the fast track” (The Herald Sun, 17 Sep-07 p.4) is really funny, concluding even the more funny pic of him relaxed, resting on a sofa.

Today article about “Young Bomber on the fast track” (The Herald Sun, 17 Sep-07 p.4) is really funny, concluding even the more funny pic of him relaxed, resting on a sofa.

A football star, 19 y.o. Bachar Houli tells of amendments his football club does arrange and will perhaps arrangements next year to accommodate his Ramadan schedule –and speaks of abuses Muslims experience in Australia due to his personal acquaintance with.

A few years ago a Jewish bright footballer was not taken on a team because he was playing on Saturdays and this upset then club president rabbi J. Gutnik.

Do not you think that accommodating every militant seizing a power over the PA he to once again allow Israel to exist is simply impossible for the international minders, England’s T. Blair is the top high-paid representative of?

Hi MichaelK.

I am pleased that the football team is making concession for Bachar Houli, the Muslim player ... Also, I really can't see a sportsman playing his best during Ramadan due to to fasting etc. Houli, who is playing a very Australian sport is to be commended on raising the issue of abuse suffered by Muslims in this country.

As for the Jewish footballer, perhaps he wasn't Orthodox, thus didn't see any problems playing on Saturdays. I believe (although am unsure) that Rabbi Gutnik is Orthodox, so wouldn't permit any Jew to play on a Saturday. Logically, Gutnik shouldn't have Jews on the team if this is so.

I think that the West have done a grave injustice to the Palestinians by not condemning very loudly terrorist organisations operating within Palestine. The Arab League has told Hamas and others to recognise Israel, but the West have been remarkably silent on this issue. When Hamas et al have sent rockets into Israel our media says nothing unless Israel retaliates; then portrays Israel as always the oppressor and the terrorists (Palestinians) as ever the oppressed.

The West makes no distinction between the average Palestinian and the terrorists among them, who also terrorise their own. This I am sure has heartened terrorist groups.

A Palestinian intellectual remarked that by not making a strong differentiation between Palestinians and terrorist organisations, the West still sees them "as the white man's burden."

The West should also be encouraging Palestine to set up an infrastructure for
statehood. This would do much to give Palestinians confidence in themseves, and go some way to discredit terrorist groups amongst them.

Regards