Note to Pilots...Please Identify Yourself

For those pilots who are not familiar with the Middle East...Israel is the small jewel resting at the crossroads between Africa and Europe and Asia. It's the beautiful yet modern State...that is involved in a really bad situation with...well, most of our neighbors. So, should you happen to fly near Israel, could you do us all a favor and identify yourself?

It's just one of those friendly things to do and, in the end, will not only save thousands of dollars in fuel costs - but may well save lives...um...yours. So really, a small, "Hello, I'm a friendly Bulgarian pilot on my way to Eilat" works wonders. Try it some time, ok?

From YNET:

Air Force jets were scrambled to intercept an unidentified executive jet en route from Bulgaria to Eilat. The pilot eventually did identify himself and the jets are currently escorting the plane to the Eilat airport.

Don't Get Sad - Get MAD!

According to Israel National News, the IDF is saddened that Hamas is boasting that it has body parts of soldiers who died in the Gaza War. Someone has to teach the army how to correctly respond. Don't get sad, get mad!

Fine - they want to parade body parts? If that is the only language they understand than answer in the same language. Ask them how many parts do they want Israel to produce. Really, it's not a problem - with 1,000 prisoners waiting to be released for Gilad Shalit, I'm sure Israel can cut up a few to have the needed parts.

Disgusting right? Not something a civilized country would do, right? Well, then do something - wherever you are - right to your government, to the Red Cross, to the United Nations. If the Palestinians want to barter body parts, Israel is ready to play the game. Let civilized nations step in and condemn Hamas for this horrendous announcement; let the world stop giving aid.

Demand - the return of Gilad Shalit and all "body parts" they claim they have...or we'll return 1,000 body parts to them - no charge. Note that Prime Minister Olmert actually showed some backbone today and told Hamas that the crossings would remain closed until a deal was made to return Gilad Shalit...and with the message of strength - Hamas is announcing a deal may be close.

Don't get sad, get mad!

From Israel National News:

The Spokesperson's Office of the Israel Defense Forces expressed what it called "sadness" on Sunday over a claim by Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza earlier in the day that they have body parts of an Israeli soldier killed during the Cast Lead campaign in early January. According to a statement by the office, "Hamas manipulates subjects like this while damaging values holy to all religions, including Islam."

Israel at the Polls...and in the Middle East

Israel went to the polls today and with a larger-than-last-time turn out, voted in a democratic election that will determine the future path of this country. And, as the polls closed, Palestinians in Gaza fired a rocket at Israel and Arabs near Beit El fired shots at Israelis.

This is the Middle East we live in and our neighbors are already reminding us of the reality that the next government must consider. For now, Israel celebrates its democracy - unparalleled in the Middle East.

Today, Israel went to the polls to vote. Arab and Jew, religious and secular, men and women. That doesn't happen in any other country in the region. The real winner tonight wasn't Livni or Bibi...it was Israel.