ISRAELIS PREPARE FOR ANOTHER WAR

There are no disillusioned people in Israel... well, at least not when it comes to the fact that another war is coming... In fact, any other country faced with the same attacks Israel is facing (from Hamas in Gaza, from Hezbollah in Lebanon and from Iran) would probably consider itself already at war... WATCH VIDEO 

Up until the first Gulf War (January 1991), statistically, Israel had a war once every 7 years. Since the 1990's the situation changed dramatically, and if you include the intifadas, various IDF operations and the Second Lebanon War, that statistical figure could easily be cut almost in half.

This year, Israel dedicated several days to a nation-wide drill. It included not only the IDF and the emergency response personnel, but also civilians - adults and children - who learned what to do in case of an attack on our country. Israeli citizens once again received gas masks for their families. Though no formal instructions have been issued, people once again started cleaning out their bomb shelters and safety rooms.

However, in the midst of the preparations there is no panic. Sadly, it's not because our nation depends on the protection of our God, but because these things have become so routine in the past years... But one thing is sure - the Lord has promised redemption to our people, and when, in the darkest hour, Israel cries out to the Lord - He will deliver them - not only from their enemies, but from their sins... 

You can read more about Israel's preparation for war in our September Maoz Israel Report.

 4 ISRAELIS MURDERED IN A WEST BANK SHOOTING

Lethal terror attack on eve of peace talks: Four Israelis were murdered Tuesday evening after the vehicle they were traveling in was ambushed by terrorists in the Hebron region.

At least some of the victims, who are all residents of Beit Hagai, are members of the same family. Ambulance service officials said the victims include two men, ages about 25 and 40, as well as two women of roughly the same ages, one of them pregnant.

According to initial reports, an Israeli vehicle traveling in the area came under fire directed at it from a passing vehicle at the Bani Naim junction on Highway 60, between Hebron and Kiryat Arba.

More than one terrorist apparently took part in the attack, with Channel Two reporting the attackers apparently confirmed the death of the Israeli victims by shooting them at close range, before fleeing the scene.

"The vehicle was sprayed with dozens of bullets," a paramedic at the scene told Channel Two. "There were numerous shell casings around. We found four bodies and there was no chance whatsoever to help them; all we could do was to pronounce the death of these four Jews."

IDF security forces were scouring the area for suspects. Notably, the army had been on high alert ahead of the resumption of peace talks in Washington. (Extracted from Ynet News, 8/31/10)

 ISRAELI DELEGATION LEAVES FOR PEACE TALKS

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his negotiating team took off for Washington on Tuesday morning, ahead of the relaunch of peace talks with the Palestinians.

The prime minister will meet with US President Barack Obama on Wednesday, before attending a dinner hosted by Obama with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jordanian King Abdullah and Quartet envoy Tony Blair. He is expected to hold separate talks with each of the other leaders as well.

On Thursday morning, Netanyahu and Abbas will launch the talks in the presence of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the State Department. This ceremony will be followed by the first working meeting between Netanyahu and Abbas, and their respective teams.

While speaking to a meeting of the World Zionist Congress on Tuesday, President Shimon Peres expressed his faith in the prime minister to "be aware of the importance of the task that stands before him and the opportunity that exists."

On Monday, Netanyahu told Likud activists at a pre-Rosh Hashana toast in Tel Aviv that he would be cautious during the talks and insist on security guarantees, so an Israeli withdrawal would not be met by the firing of hundreds of rockets, as was the case when Israel left the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. “I am not naïve,” Netanyahu said. Netanyahu pointedly did not mention the settlement housing-start moratorium that ends on September 26. (Extracted from JPost, 8/31/10)

 TEITEL FIT TO STAND TRIAL

A psychiatric evaluation submitted to the Jerusalem District Court determined that "Jewish terrorist" Yaakov (Jack) Teitel, who was indicted for murdering Arabs and attempting to hurt Prof. Ze'ev Sterhell is fit to stand trial and was responsible for his actions.

This evaluation contradicts an initial evaluation submitted to the court three months ago, which stated that Teitel's mental state may not allow for trial to proceed. He was later sent to a different hospital for another evaluation.  
 
Teitel has been hospitalized at the Magen hospital for the past three months, and a hearing on his matter is expected to take place next week. His lawyer, Attorney Asher Ohayon, said in response to the new evaluation: "We will study the evaluation and respond to it as part of the court discussions."

After the first evaluation was submitted, Teitel said upon entering the courtroom, "I don’t know if I'm insane. I don’t recognize this court's authority."

Teitel was indicted in November 2009 on 14 different counts including an attempt to murder Ami Ortiz, the son of a Messianic family living in Ariel, when he sent an explosive device disguised as a Purim gift to their home. (Extracted from Ynet News, 8/30/10)