Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report
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Monday, Jun. 13 '16, Sivan 7, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. MIRACLE: SHOT TWICE IN THE HEAD, VICTIM RECOUNTS TEL AVIV ATTACK
2. THREE INJURED IN ROCK ATTACK ON JERUSALEM BUS
3. WHERE IS ISIS LEADER ABU BAKR AL-BAGHDADI?
4. PA PRISONERS CLUB HEAD: TERRORISTS WHO KILL CIVILIANS ARE HEROES
5. 'I STABBED A SOLDIER TO JOIN MY COUSIN IN HEAVEN'
6. COMPROMISE REACHED OVER MIKVEH LAW
7. THE 7 BEST KOSHER FOOD TRUCKS IN THE US
8. NETANYAHU: ENLIGHTENED COUNTRIES MUST UNITE TO FIGHT TERROR
1. MIRACLE: SHOT TWICE IN THE HEAD, VICTIM RECOUNTS TEL AVIV ATTACK
by Ari Soffer
[youtube:2016125]
Among the victims seriously wounded in last week's terrorist shooting attack at Tel Aviv's Sarona Market, Assaf Bar considers himself particularly fortunate to be alive.
Shot twice in the head and left for dead by the Islamist attackers, one of the bullets still remains lodged in his skull.
But miraculously, Assaf has made a rapid recovery since being hospitalized in critical condition, and is now fully conscious and communicating.
Speaking to journalists from his bed at Ichilov Hospital, Bar recounted the terrifying moments two besuited Hamas terrorists gunned down innocent restaurant-goers, and expressed his thanks to God for surviving the ordeal.
"The fact that I am alive now, is not to be taken for granted," he said. "All the credit goes to the medical team at the hospital and on the field, in whose merit I am here."
"I went out with my girlfriend to the Sharona complex to eat dinner," Bar recounted. "I remember the two terrorists came in and sat at the table next to us, right near us.
"After that I remember they began firing - which happened, ironically, right as we began to leave the restaurant."
"I remember less about the events which occurred after I took two bullets," he added. "I received the shots very quickly in the head, and I fell flat towards the table."
But despite being shot at point-blank range, he is now in good spirits.
"Thank God, I feel better... there's still some headaches, some hearing problems, but I hope to persevere.
"Every day I feel stronger. I'm really looking forward to leaving here; I'll be happy to return to Haifa, to my studies, work, friends, girlfriend."
Bar also expressed his sadness over the four people murdered in the attack.
"For me, as part of the nation of Israel, I'm fed up of losing people dear to me every month. My heart is with the families of those murdered. May you know no more sorrow."
2. THREE INJURED IN ROCK ATTACK ON JERUSALEM BUS
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[video:2016115]
Three people were injured in a rock throwing attack on a bus in Jerusalem late Sunday night.
The victims - a woman in her sixties, and two youths ages 18 and 16 - were traveling on the Number 3 bus and were heading towards Wadi al-Joz in eastern Jerusalem when their bus was pelted with rocks by Arab assailants.
The three were injured by shards of broken glass, and the two youths also suffered head wounds. The victims were transferred to Mount Scopus hospital for further treatment after receiving first aid.
Several other passengers were treated for shock at the scene.
In related news, two victims of last Wednesday's shooting attack in Tel Aviv showed significant improvements over the weekend.
32-year-old Haggai Klein, who threw objects at the terrorists in a desperate bid to end the slaughter, is well on the road to recovery, and is now listed in light condition.
Assaf Bar, who was also wounded in the attack, is similarly making a rapid recovery, hospital officials say.
3. WHERE IS ISIS LEADER ABU BAKR AL-BAGHDADI?
by Ari Soffer
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the elusive leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) jihadist group, has escaped numerous assassination attempts by US forces since declaring his so-called "Caliphate" over vast swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014.
Until recently, US intelligence officials believed the wanted jihadist leader - who has a $25 million bounty on his head - was hiding out in a bunker somewhere in Raqqa, ISIS's "capital" city.
Since an appearance at the central mosque for a Ramadan sermon in Mosul, Iraq two years ago, the self-proclaimed "Caliph Ibrahim" hasn't been seen in public, and his last audio message was released late last year, indicating just how carefully he is trying to avoid the fate of his predecessors during the jihadist insurgency against the US in Iraq, who were assassinated by US airstrikes.
Densely-populated Raqqa would theoretically pose a perfect place to hide: deep inside ISIS territory, surrounded by civilians, Baghdadi could feel safe that the major potential for massive civilian casualties and operational difficulties mounting a special forces assault would keep him safe even after his group claimed responsibility for Sunday's massacre at a nighclub in Orlando, Florida.
But according to security officials who spoke to CNN, US intelligence assessments are moving away from the Raqqa theory - though they are not discounting it - and towards the possibility that Baghdadi is spending his time constantly on the move throughout ISIS territory in Iraq and Syria.
In the words of one US official, the ISIS leader is practicing "extraordinary operational security" measures to avoid leaving himself open to becoming a target.
According to the CNN report, intelligence reports suggest Baghdadi traveled to Mosul at least twice over the past six months, bolstering the theory that he is constantly on the move.
US intelligence officials say the theory began being carefully considered after they noted that despite "mapping out" the ISIS leadership - and killing and capturing several senior ISIS commanders over the past year - there appears to be no trace of Baghdadi's whereabouts.
Even when leading ISIS commander were assassinated, intelligence services waited in vain for Baghdadi to surface and attempt to switch location - indicating again that he may not be in the area they believe him to be.
But the Pentagon is hopeful of gaining a lead.
According to US Special Envoy Brett McGurk, al-Baghdadi may be forced into appearing publicly in the coming weeks in honor of Ramadan. Not doing so would be a symbolic blow to the self-proclaimed "leader of all Muslims"; Baghdadi has already been mocked and lambasted by some Muslim scholars, who note that according to Islamic practices a Caliph is supposed to be accessible to the masses.
"It is Ramadan. He purports to be the caliph - that's what he calls himself - and so you would think he'd be coming out with a statement to his - to his so-called followers," McGurk said.
4. PA PRISONERS CLUB HEAD: TERRORISTS WHO KILL CIVILIANS ARE HEROES
by Ari Soffer
[youtube:2016124]
The head of the Palestinian Authority's "Prisoners' Society" has said that terrorists who murder Israeli civilians are "heros," underscoring the ongoing culture of incitement within the PA.
Qadura Fares is a senior member of Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah Party, and has served as a minister in the PA government.
The Palestinian Prisoners' Society advocates and lobbies for the release of Palestinians imprisoned for terrorist activities against Israel. Fares is himself a close friend of imprisoned terrorist mastermind Marwan Barghouti, who planned and ordered a string of deadly suicide bombings against Israeli civilians during the Second Intifada.
In an interview with Dutch filmmaker Rene van Praag, Fares - who hailed imprisoned terrorists as "heroes" - was asked whether he distinguished between those imprisoned for attacking soldiers and those jailed for attacking Israeli civilians.
After attempting to wriggle out of the question, a clearly agitated Fares shot back that Palestinians in general don't particularly care whether the targets of attacks are soldiers or civilians - and justified that stance by saying it was because they hadn't won their battle yet.
"Do you think that in the Palestinian community they are discussing who kills civilians or who kills soldiers?" he asked. "We are sharing solidarity with the prisoners."
"Maybe one day when we win our battle and we have freedom, maybe - maybe, I don't know - maybe we have to ethically stand up in front of the Israeli leaders and (say) 'I am sorry.' Maybe then," he continued.
"But today, now, to check all the details - how much violence and (against) whom... who can check these details?"
"I can, sitting right here," his interviewer responded, adding that while he understood Fares' point "I feel sad that you call them heroes..."
"By not making the difference you suggest to some people it's OK to kill civilians," he added, to which a furious Fares - obviously upset at being grilled - fired back "Are you a journalist?"
"For me, all those who resist the occupation and want to achieve for their people peace and independence and freedom, all of those are heroes," Fares emphasized.
Avi Bell, Professor of the Faculty of Law at Bar Ilan University, said international law states otherwise.
"There is no right under international law to engage in terrorism. There is no right under international law to engage in violence that targets civilians," he noted. "Those things are war crimes
"You may not as a matter of intent target civilians... if you do so you are a terrorist, and if you do so you are a murderer."
Manfred Gerstenfeld contributed to this report.
5. 'I STABBED A SOLDIER TO JOIN MY COUSIN IN HEAVEN'
by Shoshana Miskin Perez
Police lifted the gag order on the investigation regarding the attack which took place two weeks ago in the Nahalat Yitzhak neighborhood in Tel Aviv, according to a Channel 2 report.
The investigation revealed that the 17-year-old Palestinian stabbed a soldier with a screwdriver in order to be reunited with his deceased cousin.
A few months ago, the terrorists' cousin was run over to death by a Bobcat tractor in a fatal work accident. The teenager, who was very close to his cousin, said he thought that the best way to join him in heaven is to kill an Israeli soldier.
The terrorist decided to randomly stab the first soldier he saw upon leaving the supermarket he worked at in the coastal city.
Police announced an indictment for attempted murder will be filed later this week.
6. COMPROMISE REACHED OVER MIKVEH LAW
by Arutz Sheva Staff
A compromised has reportedly been reached in the "Mikveh Law" proposed by MK Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism).
The law states that public Mikvaot, baths used for the purpose of ritual immersion, will only follow the guidelines of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
According to the compromise, Conservative and Reform movement converts will be permitted to immerse in Mikvaot designated especially for them, but not in those belonging to the religious councils.
Moreover, the implementation of the Law will be postponed for nine months in order to allow construction of two to four new Mikvaot.
The Jewish Agency will bear the costs of the construction of the Mikvaot while the Knesset passes a milder version of the law that is consistent with the Supreme Court guidelines.
7. THE 7 BEST KOSHER FOOD TRUCKS IN THE US
by Gabe Friedman
(JTA) — Summer is upon us. And that means swimsuits, summer camps, sticky temperatures — and food trucks.
True, many of these trendy restaurants-on-wheels are known to ply their wares in the depths of winter. But as the weather warms, everyone from office workers to tourists find themselves beckoned outside for lunch.
Sadly, kosher options can be hard to find among the ever-increasing legion of mobile eateries. But take heart: We've compiled a list of standouts from across the country. From corned-beef hash burritos to kosher barbecue, these are nine of the best Jewish-themed food trucks from coast to coast. [This article has been edited from the original to only include kosher options - ed.]
Conversos y Tacos, El Paso
Conversos y Tacos Facebook
This truck, known for its fusion of Latino and Jewish cuisines, began as an art project in 2013. Founder Peter Svarzbein — a Hispanic Jew and El Paso native, who now serves as a representative in the city's government — had been interviewing and photographing Latino families in the Southwest who believed their ancestors were Conversos, Spanish Jews forced to convert to Christianity during the Inquisition. When it opened, Svarzbein played a video of his interview subjects and the menus included an Inquisition timeline. Since then, the truck has stayed operational — even if only for special events these days — thanks to its inspired plates, like the brisket and pickles taco.
Clover Food Lab, Boston
Most restaurants don't call a falafel sandwich a "chickpea fritter" — but Clover Food Lab founder Ayr Muir isn't one to follow the crowd. Drawing on data he collects from his customers, Muir obsessively reconfigures his company's operations, tweaking everything from recipes to refrigerator temperatures. His approach has been a successful one: With eight restaurants and five food trucks, the vegetarian (and now kosher) chain has become a rising health food dynasty in Boston. Don't miss their creative, seasonal fare like a granola, pear and yogurt compote for breakfast and an egg and eggplant sandwich for lunch — plus year-round staples like seitan sandwiches and those famous chickpea fritters.
Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed Food Truck, Chicago
Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed Food Truck Facebook
Many people would probably like to know what Jake Arrieta, the Cubs star pitcher off to a historic start this season, is eating these days. Turns out he loves the food at Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed, a restaurant whose legend has only grown since it was named one of Chicago's best new restaurants in 2013. (The name is a play on the essential Maimonides text, "The Guide for the Perplexed.") The old-fashioned barbecue joint got a truck rolling the next year. It features a delicious, if abridged, menu that includes charred hot dogs, brisket sandwiches, smoked chicken and baked beans. Who says good barbecue needs pork?
Aryeh's Kitchen, Nashville
Aryeh's Kitchen Facebook
One of the very few places in all of Nashville selling kosher meat is a refurbished 1971 Airstream trailer truck set up by a Vanderbilt University undergrad. Aryeh's Kitchen, which opened on campus this spring, gives its kosher menu a southern twist with dishes such as fried chicken and waffles, latkes with apple chutney and a BLT with pastrami "bacon." To keep things student-budget friendly, most of the food is under $10.
Taim Mobile, New York City
Taim Mobile Facebook
Israeli couple Einat Admony and Stefan Nafziger opened the falafel joint Taim in 2007. As Admony went on to foodie fame as one of New York's premier restaurateurs — her other acclaimed restaurants include Balaboosta and Bar Bolonat — Taim's two locations became downtown staples. Oh, and the falafel has been called the best in the city. The Taim Mobile truck, which launched in 2012, serves the restaurant's greatest hits, from falafel platters and fresh Mediterranean salads to its notable drinks, like ginger-mint lemonade and the strawberry-raspberry-thai basil smoothie.
JoeBob's Barbeque, Austin
In Texas, barbecue is king. Kosher food? Not so much. So Joel Davis' truck, which specializes in beef brisket, ribs and sausage, is more innovative than it sounds. JoeBob's utilizes the "slow and low" cooking method popular throughout the Lone Star State — that's cooking at a low temperature for a long period of time — which ensures its meat is juicy enough for the most discerning Texan, Jewish or otherwise. But the operation isn't all about taste — part of each purchase is donated to an array of charities, from the Michael J. Fox Foundation to the Jewish Federation of Greater Austin. Customers can choose which cause they'd like to support.
8. NETANYAHU: ENLIGHTENED COUNTRIES MUST UNITE TO FIGHT TERROR
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[youtube:2016129]
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu again related to Sunday's terrorist attack at an Orlando gay nightclub, and called for united action against Islamist terrorism.
"We are all shocked at the horrific massacre in Orlando," Netanyahu stated at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, which was postponed from Sunday in honor of Shavuot.
"On behalf of the government and people of Israel, I would like to again express our condolences to the American people and the families at this especially difficult time."
"This terror threatens the entire world and it is necessary – first of all – that the enlightened countries urgently unite to fight it," he added. "We stand shoulder to shoulder with the American people."
50 people were murdered and 53 wounded - many of them seriously - in the attack by a Muslim terrorist who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) jihadist group.
The gun rampage was the worst shooting spree in American history.
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