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Acting-President Itzik: We Have Won, and Will Win Again - We Have No Choice
  After a day of mourning for Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of terror, the Israeli flag at Jerusalem's Mt. Herzl was raised from its half-mast position after sunset Monday, marking the transition from grief to celebration as the country rang in its 59th Independence Day. Acting President Dalia Itzik was the first to speak. "Even on a day of flags and happiness, there are people among us who mourn their loss. We have been living for 59 years in a war the end of which is not yet in sight," she said. Itzik finished resolutely saying that "we have won before and we will win again, for we have no other choice." She reiterated Israel has not given up on the dream of peace, and quoted Herzl's famous saying, "all men's deeds begin in dreams." (Jerusalem Post)
Israel Remembers its Fallen
by Lilach Shoval
 The State of Israel united in the memory of its 22,305 fallen soldiers and victims of terror last week. At 11 am a two-minute long siren was sound throughout the country and memorial ceremonies took place in 43 military cemeteries. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said during the ceremony, "On this special day, we are all one bereaved family. Each one of us remembers and sees in front of our eyes a close person among the fallen, because there is no one in Israel who has not tasted the price of war. (Ynet News)
See also Yom Hazikaron 2007 (YouTube)
Hizbullah Leader Admits Orders Come from Tehran
 For many years, the Hizbullah terror organization was careful not to implicate Iran in its terror operations. However, in a 15 April 2007 interview with the Iranian Arabic language TV station Al-Qawthar, Hizbullah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Kassem said that suicide bombings, terrorist attacks, and even artillery barrages against Israeli civilians all receive prior approval from the ayatollahs in Tehran. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Fugitive Israeli Arab Lawmaker Suspected of Aiding Israel’s Enemies
 A fugitive Israeli Arab leader is suspected of aiding Israel’s enemies and other security-related crimes, police said last week after a gag order on a police investigation was partially lifted. The allegations against Azmi Bishara, who has antagonized authorities by meeting with some of Israel’s staunchest foes, threaten to further polarize Israel’s Jews and minority Arabs, who make up 20 percent of the population and have suffered from second-class status since the state was established six decades ago. Bishara abruptly left the country a month ago in the midst of a police investigation. He resigned from parliament over last weekend, accusing authorities of persecuting him for his strident criticism of the Jewish state. (AP/Boston Herald)
'The World Must Learn from Israel about Fighting Terror'
by Ben Lando
 International law dealing with terrorism is out of date and needs to be reevaluated, Israel Air Force Col. (ret.) Uri Dromi said on a trip to the U.S. last week. Doing so, in his opinion, will strengthen the ability of Western countries to fight terrorism. Currently the United States and Europe have incongruent military legal and military strategies, which cause them to lag behind Israel in fighting terrorism, Dromi said. He is working to create an international "consortium" of think tanks to consider how well the law is suited to handling terrorism. (Jerusalem Post)
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Barrage of Kassam's on Independence Day Meant to Distract from Kidnap Attempt
by Yaakov Katz
 The barrages of Kassam rockets and mortar shells Hamas fired at Israel on Independence Day were meant to provide cover for and distract attention from an attempted infiltration by a terror cell, whose members intended to kidnap IDF soldiers deployed along the Gaza border, IDF sources reported. The sources said that the army's heightened alert, as well as a quick response by ground troops and IAF helicopters that had been hovering over Gaza, foiled the attempt. According to preliminary reports, no cell managed to cross into Israel. (Jerusalem Post)
See also No Gaza Operation for Now - Ron Ben-Yishai (Ynet News)
Freed Palestinian Terrorists Would Pose Immediate Threat
by Yaakov Katz
I f hundreds of terrorists are released in exchange for abducted IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit, they will pose an immediate threat to Israel, a high-ranking defense official said. Should the government accede to the demand, the official said, the IDF would need to modify the way it operates in the West Bank. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has expressed "disappointment and reservations" over the list of prisoners, which is said to include as many as 450 murderers. "The Palestinians in prison have the terror know-how and the influence over the terror groups," the defense official said. "If they are released they will be taking those qualities with them and we will need to be prepared." (Jerusalem Post)
See also Hamas Calls for Kidnapping More Israeli Soldiers to Achieve Release of 10,000 Terrorists - Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook (Palestinian Media Watch)
Iran to Strike U.S., Israel with "Thousands of Missiles" If Attacked
 Iran will strike U.S. interests around the world and Israel if attacked over its disputed nuclear program, Mohammad Baqer Zolghadr, the deputy interior minister for security affairs, said last week. "Nowhere would be safe for America with (Iran's) long-range missiles...we can fire tens of thousands of missiles every day....With long-range missiles Iran can also threaten Israel as America's ally," he said. Iran says its Shahab-3 missile with a range of 1,250 miles is capable of hitting Israel and U.S. bases in the Gulf. (Reuters/Washington Post)
Syria Readying for War
by Ze'ev Schiff
 The Syrian army is increasing its battle readiness, munitions production (especially of rockets and missiles), emergency stores, and is acquiring more weapon systems from Iran. It has purchased a large number of advanced anti-tank missiles from the Russians, with whom it is also negotiating the purchase of Russia's latest anti-aircraft missiles. The Syrians have deployed Iranian naval missiles (originally Chinese), the C. 802, and the destructive power and range of Syria's rockets and missiles has clearly grown in recent years. Israel does not rule out a possible Syrian grab for the Golan Heights. (Ha'aretz)
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