Shameful Government Gone Mad

Late night update: Many have inquired about Nadia Matar, co-chairwoman of Women in Green, who was targeted and beaten by police. Nadia is in Sha'arei Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem, but by all reports is progressing. She has many bruises and some injuries but they are not life threatening. It was clear when the police invaded the house (the residents were eating lunch) that they had done much surveillance and planning. They knew specifically where Nadia and Daniella Weiss were within the house and headed for them immediately.

Eye witness reports speak of the arbitrary and capricious violence of the soldiers who were the ring around the yassamniks, put there to keep others from going towards the house. Apparently they went to extremes to "fulfill their role", as women and young girls were targeted. A Hebron resident who wasn't even a part of Beit Shalom, attempted to drive to her home, and was terrified and screaming when soldiers began rocking her car to overturn it (just for fun). Finally, a commander stopped the "entertainment." Our government has turned one of our precious treasures (the IDF) into a ghoulish monster.

As I write this post, hundreds of police have amassed and are at this hour, in process of violently expelling the Jewish families who are living in Beit Shalom - the house purchased by Jews in Hevron. DM Ehud Barak ordered an invasion of Beit Shalom immediately after meeting with Beit Shalom leaders and with Rabbi Moshe Levinger, the founder of the present day community and a leader in Hebron. I know Rav. Levinger, and cannot fathom someone meeting with him and then turning around and doing what Ehud Barak is doing.

Barak continues to state that the High Court ordered the evacuation, which is completely untrue. The Supreme Court decision was one that allowed the State (i.e. Barak) to proceed with expulsion if it wished... leaving the decision wholly in the hands of Ehud Barak. To hide behind the Courts, pretending it was their decision and that he is just enforcing it, is duplicitous behavior of the worst kind.

I am watching the live coverage on Channel 1 (IsraelBroadcastingAssoc. - IBA) and I have observed countless acts of violence by the police. In one case, 4 policeman ran and attacked a person from the back, (it looked like a woman, but in the balygan I am not positive); they threw her to the ground, beat her and dragged her off. All this on camera. They apparently don't care. You complain, the same thing will happen to you.

As I write, these are the reports that are coming in as reported by Channel 1 news (IBA) - not a source normally sympathetic to the national cause:

1. Yassam police are seen without their name tags. This is totally illegal in Israel and done so that when violence is done to a citizen, the citizen cannot sue, as they don't know the name of the policeman committing the violence. (Sara Beck, IBA)

2. Ambulances are being prevented by the police from reaching Beit Shalom and treating the victims, one of whom is seriously injured. (Sara Beck)

3. Palestinian Arabs are cheering, dancing and attacking Jews, thrilled that Jews are being thrown out of their home by Israeli police and knowing they and the police are on the same side. Nothing is being done to stop the rock attacks. (also witnessed and commented on by IBA news)
( I have noted in recent weeks how many times the arabs and the Israeli police have banded together and are seen visibly fighting the Jews. Think about this picture and the message it sends the arab world.)(mf)

4. Youth who are trying to get back into the area are being tear-gassed

5. As I complete this post, the house has been evacuated but all of Judea has just been sealed off. It is now a closed military zone - which means that residents can get through the checkpoints, but no one else.

A sad sad day for our country. G-d help us.