ROSH CHODESH SHEVAT 5771 -- DAY 1679 THAT GILAD SHALIT REMAINS CAPTIVE

ONE WEEK AGO ON THE GOYESHE NEW YEAR THE "MAVI MAMARA" RETURNED SAFELY FROM ISRAEL TO TURKEY, FINDING A WARM WELCOME AMONGST THOSE, WHO SEEK ISRAEL'S DESTRUCTION.

ISRAEL STANDS ACCUSED, EVEN AS GILAD SHALIT REMAINS UNSEEN, UNHEARD, UTTERLY ALONE IN HIS CAPTIVITY IN GAZA, BE HE ALIVE OR DEAD.

FOR THOSE OF YOU, WHO MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN, THE "MAVI MAMARA" IS THE TURKISH SHIP (FROM THE FLOTILLA OF SIX SHIPS THAT SOUGHT TO VIOLATE ISRAEL'S NAVAL BLOCKADE OF GAZA) THAT REFUSED SAFE NAVAL ESCORT TO ASHKELON, CHOOSING INSTEAD TO CARRY OUT PRE-MEDITATED VIOLENCE AGAINST THE INEVITABLE BOARDING BY ISRAELI NAVAL COMMANDOES. THE INCIDENT PROVED DEADLY AND OF COURSE ISRAEL WAS BLAMED, NOT THE TURKISH PERPETRATORS. TURKEY USED THE INCIDENT TO BREAK OFF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL AND TO PUBLICLY SHIFT POLICY TO MORE STRONGLY FAVOR SYRIA AND IRAN.

WHAT A WORLD! THE "OLAM HABAH" LOOKS BETTER AND BETTER ALL THE TIME.... SHABBATH SHALOM.