Rachel Frenkel: Good Reasons to Believe the Boys Are Alive

From Israel National News:

 Rachel Frenkel: Good Reasons to Believe the Boys Are Alive

by Yaakov Levi

Rachel Frenkel, mother of Naftali, one of the three Israeli teens kidnapped by Hamas terrorists, said that she was deeply moved by the army's efforts to find her son, along with Eyal Yifrah and Gilad Sha'ar, the other two kidnap victims.

Speaking on IDF Radio Sunday, Frenkel said that she was encouraged by the ongoing activity to find the boys. Despite the fact that over two weeks have passed with no indication of their fate or whereabouts, Frenkel said that she did not believe that “the search has reached a brick wall. As long as there is progress, we are hopeful.”

The IDF announced the names of two of the kidnappers last Thursday, but Frenkel said she had been told their identity soon after the kidnapping took place.

“The investigators were able to find this information out very quickly,” she said. With that, she added, “it has been very difficult for me to look at their photos. I can see the evil in their eyes. Unfortunately this is the situation.”

Frenkel also expressed appreciation to the artists and performers who were to appear Sunday night in a special rally in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv.

“We feel embraced by many people, and we wanted that the event should be a general one that would include everyone. Our message is one of solidarity, one for all and all for one – haredi Israelis, secular Israelis, Bedouin, Druze, and Muslims who have a conscience.”

The event, set for 7:30 PM, will feature appearances by many popular artists, including Miri Mesika, Koby Aflalo, David D'Or, Lior Narkis, Koby Oz, Dudu Fischer, Zvika Pik, Rami Kleinstein, and others.

“They are not 'symbols,' but real live children who are being held prisoner somewhere,” said Frenkel. “We miss our son terribly, and we are thinking constantly of what he must be going through."

"I try not to think too deeply, though, because those kinds of thoughts can deplete your energy. But we have good reason to be optimistic,” Frenkel said. “The signs point to their still being alive, and G-d willing with all the efforts and prayers I hope we will get them back alive.”

UPDATED: Falkland Islands: UN sides with Argentina.....Islanders say "Hell, NO!"

News that makes me say: WTHHHHHHH??? 

From the Independant out of the UK:

UN committee backs Argentina over Falkland Islands 

26 June 2014

A United Nations’ committee approved a new resolution calling on the UK and Argentina to negotiate a solution to their dispute over the Falkland Islands, essentially favouring Argentina's stance in the long-running feud.

The 24-nation Decolonization Committee passed the resolution by consensus despite passionate speeches from two Falkland Islands representatives who said most islanders wanted to keep things as they are.

The decision showed that the committee members have been largely unmoved by a referendum in the Falkland Islands last year in which more than 99 per cent of voters favoured remaining a British Overseas Territory.

The UK has rebuffed Argentina's calls to negotiate the sovereignty of the south Atlantic islands, saying it is up to people who live there to decide...

Much more here.

Seems to me that the people of the Falklands already decided. Last year, the Islanders voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to remain British..Read my column on that here.

The UN seems to have ignored the history of Falkland Islands (they can catch up by reading my previous column here.)

My message to the UN and Argentina?  Keep your hands off MY islands.. Period.


*UPDATE*

From the Express(UK):

Falklanders slam UN calls for Britain to negotiate over disputed islands

FALKLANDERS have reacted with fury to a UN resolution calling on Britain and Argentina to negotiate over the disputed islands - a move apparently favouring the South American country. 

By Max Evans

27 June 2014

The UN's 24-nation Decolonisation Committee passed the resolution by consensus despite passionate pleas by two islanders, who said most living on the Falklands wanted to keep things as they are. 

The move suggests that committee members have disregarded the referendum held on the islands last year, which saw 99 per cent of voters wanting them to remain a British overseas territory. 

Britain has vehemently rejected Argentina's calls to negotiate the sovereignty of the islands - known as Las Malvinas in the South American state - insisting residents should choose for themselves.

The British Mission to the UN slammed the committee for ignoring the outcome of last year's vote. "It is disappointing that once again the C24 (the Decolonisation Committee) has not respected the clear and democratic expression of the Falkland Islanders' wishes and continues to describe the Falkland Islands' constitutional relationship with the UK as a 'colonial situation'," the mission blasted. ..

The UK took control of the islands when it placed a naval garrison there in 1833. ...
Read on,  here..

Let's see if British PM Cameron has the balls for this one.  Not holding my breath, but still.

Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day will be on Saturday, 28 June 2014.

It's an opportunity to do two things. Firstly, to raise public awareness of the contribution made to our country by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty's Armed Forces, Secondly, it gives the nation an opportunity to Show Your Support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families and from veterans to cadets.

Across the country people are getting involved: communities hold local events and business show their support.

The National Event will be held in Stirling, but many more events will be held up and down the country in support of Armed Forces Day....

MUCH MORE information here.  Check it out.

Syria: BHO plans on $500M to train 'moderate rebels'

What could possibly go wrong?

From Homeland Security News Wire: 

Obama administration wants $500 million to train, equip moderate Syrian rebels

27 June 2014

The Obama administration is planning to escalate U.S. involvement in the Syrian civil war, and has asked Congress for $500 million for the U.S. military to train and equip moderate Syrian rebels. The training program would be the most significant action yet by the United States in the conflict in Syria. Yesterday’s (Thursday) request to Congress comes as the administration is looking for effective alternatives to the jihadist ISIS which is now in control of large swaths of Syria and Iraq. The $500 million request is separate from the $5 billion Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund, of which some $1.5 billion would go toward counterterrorism efforts in countries around Syria — Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Iraq. 

The president also wants to set aside $500 million to “address unforeseen contingencies” in counterterrorism, which administration officials said was a reference to developments in Iraq.

Obama’s request comes as part of the military policy bill authorizing the Pentagon to “train and equip vetted elements of the Syrian armed opposition to help defend the Syrian people, stabilize areas under opposition control, facilitate the provision of essential services, counter terrorist threats and promote conditions for a negotiated settlement.”...

Much more here. 

So much wrong with this.   

Video: IDF send in the dogs to find kidnapped teens

From Jerusalem Post:

WATCH: IDF, man's best friend set out in search for kidnapped teens

By JPOST.COM STAFF

06/27/2014

The Israel Defense Forces are sparing no means to ascertain the whereabouts of the three teenagers who were kidnapped earlier this month in Gush Etzion. 

 One of the tools at the army's disposal is man's best friend, specifically specially trained search dogs deployed by the elite Oketz Unit, one of the more well-known outfits in the IDF. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit released a clip on Thursday showing soldiers from Oketz and their four-legged comrades combing parts of Judea and Samaria in search for the boys – Eyal Yifrah, Naftali Frenkel, and Gil-Ad Shaer.

Oketz specializes in training and handling dogs for military applications. Originally, Oketz trained dogs to attack kidnappers, but training has since become more specialized, and now each dog is trained in a particular specialty....

Much more here. 

Added from the Israel Dence Forces FaceBook page today:

“Dear Racheli, Bat-Galim and Iris,

It wasn’t long ago that I was 16 years old. Today I am 19. Last weekend, as usual, I had the chance to spend Shabbat at home. As usual, I ate dinner around a beautiful table. I saw my family and friends, and I read and played football. Just like every week.

It was just like every week, except that last Shabbat wasn’t normal. It was bitter and sad because your sons, our brothers, couldn’t be with their families and friends. Eyal, Gilad and Naftali weren’t sitting around a beautiful dinner table. They didn’t have the chance to pray in synagogue. They couldn’t read or play football.

I wish that the world could hear this. I wish that the World Cup weren’t the media’s main focus. I wish that I could open my computer from anywhere in the world and see these events. Parents in Israel shudder when they hear this story, thinking "What if it were my son?" Teenagers tremble with fear, saying "It could have been me."

We’re looking everywhere for your sons, and we’re determined to find them.

Eyal, Gilad, Naftali – the entire nation is praying for your return. The whole army is working to bring you home. We will do everything so that your mothers can hold you in their arms again.

Sincerely,

Corporal Noemie”

Iraq: More US Military "Advisors" deployed

"Advisers"??????? Yes, that's what the Mouth In Chief (surely he hasn't earned the title of Commander In Chief) is calling the Troops being sent back to Iraq.

From Stars and Stripes:

More advisory teams arrive in Iraq; joint operating center opens in Baghdad

By Chris Carroll

Stars and Stripes

June 26, 2014

WASHINGTON — U.S. operations in Iraq have expanded with the arrival of more teams of advisers and the opening of a joint operations center in Baghdad, the Pentagon said Thursday.

Four additional teams of advisers with 50 special operations troops arrived in the city late Wednesday, raising the number of U.S. advisory teams in Iraq to six, with 90 members in total, Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said Thursday.

Another 90 American troops on Wednesday opened a joint operations center in Baghdad to help the Iraqi military confront the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, which has overrun vast swaths of northern Iraq and taken numerous cities....

 Much more here.

Are you paying attention, America?

50 Miles for Murph and Operation Red Wings

From Mud and Adventure:

Freddy Rodriguez
June 23, 2014

Last year was the first 50 mile run in honor of Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy, his teammates and those who passed away during Operation Red Wings on June 28th, 2005. Jeff Rondina and I made the run from El Barrios Bravest Fire Department in Spanish Harlem, Manhattan out to Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island. After 12 hours, we reached our destination just in time to begin the 4 mile Run Around the Lake which was being held in Murph’s honor. That was exactly one year ago today as I am typing this. Well, I will be doing the run once again this year.

For those unfamiliar with Murph and Operation Red Wings, I’ll try to give you a small insight to these men. After being compromised during a reconnaissance mission in the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan, the four man SEAL team consisting of Michael Murphy, Marcus Luttrell, Matthew Axelson and Danny Dietz, were in a heavily outnumbered firefight with the enemy having the high ground as well as the right and left flanks. Due to the terrain, their radio was unable to establish communication back at the base. After trying to reestablish their position by taking several dangerous leaps off the side of the mountain, their wounds started to get the best of these warriors. Murph decided to break from cover and go out into the open to try and receive a signal on his satellite phone in order to call for support and immediate extract for his men. Despite taking a round that caused him to drop the phone, Murph picked it back up and completed the call to get aid for his men, ending the call with “Thank you, sir.” Murph would eventually succumb to his wounds but due to his actions and giving their location, the remains of his men would later be found and would give a directional point on the search for Marcus Luttrell. Danny, as tough as he was, was always bringing up the rear and trying to establish comms during the fight. Axe continued to draw fire to try and draw the enemy away from Marcus’ location. His remains was eventually found with his pistol emptied and the slide locked back, showing he fought to the very end.

 

[...] These are the men who I am running for, who I am honoring. It is rare that someone would lay down their life for another and these men were willing to do that without hesitation. More people need to know about them and their sacrifice. This is why I am running in their honor. 

[...]

What I will be doing doesn’t come close in comparison to what these men went through. Their memories and the small stories I’ve read and heard about these men will keep me moving forward throughout the night. I will be once again escorted by the Floral Park Fire Department, along with the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department, NYPD and possibly a couple more including the Suffolk County PD.

I will begin the run on Friday, June 27th at approximately 7:00pm from Manhattan and plan on reaching Lake Ronkonkoma by Saturday morning around 8:00am. Then its the 4 mile Run Around the Lake in honor of Murph, possibly with some GRT friends who plan on carrying rucks, logs and other heavy objects. Most of my route will be covered via Jericho Turnpike from New Hyde Park Rd all the way out to route 454 in Suffolk County....

I appreciate any and all support during this mission of mine. My donation page is live and would really be humbled for any amount of donation. All proceeds will be going toward the Lt. Michael Murphy Scholarship Foundation and the Lone Survivor Foundation. My goal is to raise $1000 by the time I finish my run. 

GO HERE to read much more - and find the link to the donation page.