Terrorism database

I guess everything boils down to statistics.  Here's a database from the International Institute for Counter-terrorism that is "summary and analysis of the terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations that occurred during the month of February 2013, researched and recorded by the ICT database team."

The following is a summary and analysis of the terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations that occurred during the month of February 2013, researched and recorded by the ICT database team. Important events this month included the following:


Afghanistan
Taliban militants disguised as policemen killed 17 Afghan police officers at a base in Ghazni province during an overnight attack where they infiltrated the base, poisoned the dinner food of the other officers and then proceeded to shoot the officers at close range. Authorities said the militants then stole their weapons and fled after setting a police vehicle on fire.

Bahrain
A bomb, containing 2kg of explosives, wires and a mobile phone, was discovered on the Saudi-Bahraini causeway. Authorities believe the intended target was tourists from Saudi Arabia. Bahrain's Interior Minister announced eight people had been arrested suspected of being part of a militant cell that was linked to Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. They did not confirm if the two cases were linked.

And the list goes on.  To read the full report, go to ICT Database Report.  It's an eye-opener.
alisa flatow stephen flatow israel kfar darom terror attack

Turkey’s Erdogan Calls Zionism A “Crime Against Humanity” at UN Conference at View from Geneva

Just finished reading Gil Troy's fabulous book, "Moynihan's Moment" about Sen. Pat Moynihan's efforts to stop the UN from adopting its infamous "Zionism is racism" resolution and his battle to combat that belief during the remainder of his life. 

Today's news about Turkey's prime minister calling Zionism a crime against humanity demonstrates that the fight started by Moynihan must still be waged.

By the way, it took place at a UN event.

Here's the blog posting from UN Watch - Turkey’s Erdogan Calls Zionism A “Crime Against Humanity” at UN Conference at View from Geneva

Organ donation and the Jews

Rabbi Jack Abramowitz, writing for the Orthodox Union's on organ donation, does much to demonstrate that Jews, including religiously observant Jews, can donate organs.  For one family's path along the road of organ donation, run a Google search on Alisa Flatow organ donation.

I recommend that you read the full article. This Article Could Save a Life

In Israeli politics, not all is at it seems

This from Jonathan Tobin at Commentary -

Lapid is not that far different from Netanyahu.  And I think that's a good thing.

Lapid’s rise reflects the way the overwhelming majority of Israelis have moved on from their prior obsession with the peace process. Since the Palestinians have repeatedly rejected peace and used Israeli withdrawals to create terror enclaves like Gaza, there is a consensus that until a sea change occurs among Arabs, more such concessions are unthinkable.

Essentially, the response (or lack thereof) by the Palestinian Authority to first Barak's, then Sharon's, then Olmert's offers or steps towards a settlement with the PA, has irked the Israeli in the street.
So, anyone who thought that Yair Lapid was the messiah of Israeli politics is in for a rude awakening.  Israeli politics is never boring.

Read the full column.

Stephen M. Flatow

What is Fatah celebrating today?

Caroline Glick asks What is Fatah celebrating today?  The answer is not a pleasant one.

Today [January 2, 2013] Fatah members in Dehaisheh, outside Bethlehem celebrated the terror group's special day by parading around in paramilitary uniforms, khafiiyehs and ski caps while brandishing rifles, axes, mock-up rockets and other terror paraphernalia.

But what so far has gone unnoticed by the media here -- and of course the media worldwide - is that today is not the anniversary of anything. It is not Fatah's 48th birthday. Arafat established Fatah in either 1957 or 1959 in Kuwait.

On the night of December 31, 1964-January 1, 1965, Fatah conducted its first terrorist attack against Israel. So today's 48th birthday celebrations are not honoring Fatah's birth, but Fatah's first terrorist attack, which took place 48 years ago, yesterday. Incidentally, and rather poetically, the attack was a failed attempt to bomb Israel's national water carrier, (that is, to poison Israel's wells...).

So much for the alleged moderation of Abu Mazen and his cohorts. Yitzhak Rabin was right, Abu Mazen is a terrorist and will always be one.  If only Shimon Peres would see it, the Middle East would be a different place.

Well, that's what I have to say.

Stephen M. Flatow