The police in Jerusalem are on high alert, preparing for today's Moslem prayers at the Temple Mount. Only Moslems over age 40 and with Israeli citizenship will be allowed in.
Hundreds of policemen are deployed in the Old City, with Islamic and PA groups having called on Moslems all over the country to come to Jerusalem and prevent Jews from ascending to the Temple Mount. The Islamic Movement in Israel has declared this Sunday as a day for Moslems to ascend to Temple Mount mosques.
A new organization named Revavah has been calling for months for 10,000 Jews to arrive at the Temple Mount this Sunday, the first day of the month of Nissan, known as the Month of Redemption. The police announced yesterday that no Jews would be allowed to do so, declaring the holy site closed to Jews – but thousands are still expected to arrive in the Old City.
Arab terrorists Saturday night renewed their offensive against Israel, launching 56 Kassam rockets and mortal shells on Jewish towns in Gush Katif after Israeli soldiers killed three arms smugglers.
The IDF has not responded to the mortal shells, which damaged one house without injuring any of the 8,000 Jewish residents in Gaza. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said he was worried by the attacks, and terrorists threatened further violence.
The attack on Gush Katif began around 6 p.m. and followed IDF counter-terror actions against five youths who were trying to smuggle arms from Egypt along the Philadelpi Route. Terrorists continued the barrage throughout the evening and early morning hours.
The Arab press reported that the soldiers fired on innocent children who were playing soccer. Mofaz asked the PA to control the terrorists. The PA did not publicize that the youths were trying to smuggle weapons despite Israeli reports that the PA later caught two of them. PA chairman Abu Mazen insisted that the youth "were unarmed and did not endanger Israel."
See, I've never been a big Grateful Dead fan, so I was kind of surprised when this song started playing in my head tonight. Not so surprising, though, I guess.
Trouble with you is the trouble with me,
Got two good eyes but you still don’t see. . .
