action alert
November 15, 2012
Operation "Pillar of Defense"
Dear Friends,

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is closely following the continued violence in the South of Israel and the increasing rocket attacks which are stretching as far north as Bat Yam on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.  Over the past four days, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have fired almost 200 rockets and mortars at the civilians of southern and central Israel, wounding innocent Israelis and terrorizing hundreds of thousands of others.  Indeed, over the past several years, Israeli men, women and children have suffered as thousands of rockets launched by terrorists operating out of the Gaza Strip have been launched against them. 

In an attempt to dismantle the Hamas operations responsible for this onslaught, yesterday, November 14th, the IDF began a military operation called "Pillar of Defense," by killing Hamas commander Ahmed Jabari in a precision air strike.  As the head of Hamas' armed wing, Jabari has been responsible for all anti-Israel terror activity emanating from the Gaza Strip over the past decade.  The strike also disabled medium-range rockets acquired from Iran for the purpose of hitting Israeli civilian centers as far North as Tel Aviv.  This military operation is appropriately named, for it is truly a defensive action, aimed at relieving Israeli civilians of the fear and the suffering to which they have too long been subjected.  As Israeli leaders said today, "the south of Israel cannot be held hostage by Hamas."

HAMAS ROCKET RANGES:
"SAJAR 5" IRANIAN MADE ROCKETS REACH OUTSKIRTS OF TEL AVIV Hamas Rockets

 

A PRAYER FOR OUR IDF SOLDIERS
By Alden Solovy

Rock of Israel,
Our sons and daughters,
Our brothers and sisters,
Our family and friends,
Have been called to serve
In the name of peace and justice
In Operation Pillar of Defense
To defend and to protect our land
From violence and assault,
From kidnappers and terrorists,
From the rain of missiles from Gaza.

We stand with the defenders of Israel.
We honor the guardians of Zion.
We hold dear the sentries of Am Kadosh.
Grant our leaders insight and strength
To guide our nation on a path of wisdom,
Using our power and might with courage, with caution and with care.
Bless the injured and wounded with Your healing hand
And their families with Your loving grace.

SPEAKERS BUREAU
& RESOURCES

To arrange a speaker to come to your congregation or organization; to discuss resources available from our Israel Advocacy Network; or to discuss possible programming ideas ... please contact David Cohen at dcohen@jfgp.org
or 215-832-0549
SPECIAL EDITION:

Israel Under Fire
(Click Image for MFA Powerpoint)


VIDEOS OF ROCKET ATTACKS ON ISRAEL
Compilation: Rocket Attacks Filmed by Civilians 
Compilation: Rocket Attacks Filmed by Civilians

________________

A FOCUS ON OUR
PARTNERSHIP
COMMUNITIES:
NETIVOT &
SDOT NEGEV 

  

Rubble from Attack 
Early Monday morning, around 7 am, a rocket fired from Gaza hit a private home's yard in Netivot causing extensive damage buildings and infrastructure. Twenty-six people suffered panic attacks. 
 
Two hours later, five additional rockets were fired from Gaza towards the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. One was intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system. The barrage was followed by a three-mortar salvo that hit open areas in the Eshkol Regional Council. No damage or injuries were reported.

"We heard a siren, ran for shelter and then the blast sounded," Herzl Zaguri, a Netivot resident, described Monday morning's rocket attack. "I don't know how long this will last. It's scary... Kids on their way to school are hysterical, and there's no one to save them."