July 28, 2003

Haaretz reports on friction between Israel and the United States over the construction of the security fence between Israel and most Palestinians, particular where it goes deep into the West Bank to encompass Jewish towns such as Ariel. Meanwhile, more examples of Palestinian terror in the midst of this "cease-fire", the body of Corporal Oleg Shaichat, who went missing last Monday, was found yesterday in Northern Israel. Police say he was killed for nationalist motives, It is not clear whether he was murdered by Israeli Arabs or Palestinians. Also a Palestinian bomber who was released by Israel last month as a goodwill gesture has called for the kidnapping of Israel soldiers to be used as bargaining chips in negotiations for the release of more Palestinians. The man, Ahmed Jbarra served 28 years of a life sentence for murdering 14 people when he planted a booby-trapped refrigerator in Jerusalem's Kikar Zion in 1975. Presumably he is upset that the killers of Corporal Shaichat killed him and were unable to smuggle him or his body into the West Bank to be held as a hostage. This man should be rearrested; he was released to help promote peace, not violence. 10:38:46 PM

No trips to Lebanon for the Pope The National Post reports that a Canadian citizen has been imprisoned for past three weeks in a Beirut, Lebanon prison without any formal charges because he once visited Israel. The National Post states that Bruce Balfour, a 52-year-old Calgarian was arrested when he arrived in Beirut at the beginning of a visit to the country on behalf of the Cedars of Lebanon reforestation project, in association with the Maranath Evangelistic Association. Maybe the Lebanon government is following the example of the numerous terror groups in its country and is now starting to takes hostages. It’s lucky that we know if the man is still alive. 10:20:24 PM