The week that was

The news this week has not been good. On average there's one terror attack a day in the current knife intifada. Fortunately most attacks have not been lethal, and most have been so-called "lone wolf". I personally don't subscribe to the lone wolf theory.

But what happened Wednesday was different. Three terrorists from Jenin attacked two border patrol women at Damascus Gate, killing one and wounding the other. This is what happened:

The border police were stationed at Damascus Gate, a major entrance to the Old City's Muslim Quarter. An Arab behaved in a suspicious manner, and according to protocol, one of the women (girls, really; they're only 19) asked for his i.d. He reached into his coat, supposedly to pull out his papers, but instead drew a gun and shot her at point blank range. Although seriously wounded, she reacted instantly and shot her attacker. Her partner then shot a second attacker who had pulled a knife and was about to stab her. What the second patrol woman didn't know what that this was a group of three terrorists. The third one was behind her and stabbed her. The third terrorist was shot and killed by soldiers who were near the scene. The first patrol woman succumbed to her wounds and was buried today. 19 years old. The second was seriously wounded but is expected to recover.

According to the foreign press, 3 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli military. No mention of the fact that they were armed with knives, guns and pipe bombs, and had the clear intention of carrying out a suicide attack somewhere in the Old City. The 2 wounded Israeli border patrol women were glossed over, making it seem as though 3 innocent Palestinians just going about their business were pounced on by the Israeli military. Another day in the paradise of the foreign press. Even the current Fox Middle East correspondent, Connor Powell, reported the story according to the Palestinian Authority Playbook.

All this pisses me off, and makes me grateful for organizations such as Honest Reporting, CAMERA, StandWithUS and SPME (Scholars for Peace in the Middle East).

But it's not all bad news ...

Sid finished his volunteer service and got home yesterday. Dori (and her stuff) are here. She returns to base on Sunday. She gets released in a couple weeks (time off for good behavior) even tho her official mustering out is on March 3. It's fun to have her around.

I realize this is short and whiny, but I want to post before candle lighting which is in 20 minutes. I welcome comments from anyone who is reading.

Shabbat shalom,

Peggy and Sid