U.S. Urges Citizens to Leave Syria Immediately

At Jerusalem Post:

State Department warns that given the "ongoing uncertainty and volatility" American citizens are urged to leave immediately while transportation is still available.

See also New York Times, "Broadcasting Hama Ruins, Syria Says It Has Ended Revolt."

Israeli Airstrike on Hamas Operatives Caught Burying IED

Via Weasel Zippers, "Tuesday Morning War Porn…":

Israeli and Palestinian Women Take a Rare Swim

At New York Times, "Where Politics Are Complex, Simple Joys at the Beach":

TEL AVIV — Skittish at first, then wide-eyed with delight, the women and girls entered the sea, smiling, splashing and then joining hands, getting knocked over by the waves, throwing back their heads and ultimately laughing with joy.

Most had never seen the sea before.

The women were Palestinians from the southern part of the West Bank, which is landlocked, and Israel does not allow them in. They risked criminal prosecution, along with the dozen Israeli women who took them to the beach. And that, in fact, was part of the point: to protest what they and their hosts consider unjust laws.

In the grinding rut of Israeli-Palestinian relations — no negotiations, mutual recriminations, growing distance and dehumanization — the illicit trip was a rare event that joined the simplest of pleasures with the most complex of politics. It showed why coexistence here is hard, but also why there are, on both sides, people who refuse to give up on it.

“What we are doing here will not change the situation,” said Hanna Rubinstein, who traveled to Tel Aviv from Haifa to take part. “But it is one more activity to oppose the occupation. One day in the future, people will ask, like they did of the Germans: ‘Did you know?’ And I will be able to say, ‘I knew. And I acted.’ ”

Palestinians can't travel inside from the West Bank because in the past they've killed Israelis. And it's not really "occupied." It's disputed. But if they're gonna protest, I'd prefer these beach trips to some Rachel Corries trying to block a tractor and getting killed like idiots. Simple joys are some of our greatest luxuries.

More details at that top link. Israeli authorities aren't jumping up and down in the water about this.

Glenn Beck Visits Ma'ale HaZeitim

Beck meets with Yishai Fleisher:

Protest Tours for the Anti-Semitic Left

This essay's making the roudns, from Daniel Greenfield: "Outraged Protest Tours - The Tourism Package for Leftists Who Hate Israel."

Via Blazing Cat Fur.

Herman Cain Stands Up for Israel

At LAT, "Herman Cain to Iran: 'If you mess with Israel you're messing with the USA'."

And get your Herman Cain fix at The Other McCain.

Danny Ayalon: The Truth About the West Bank

An outstanding clip, via Theo Spark:

Israel Leading the Way in In Vitro Fertilization

At New York Times, "Where Families Are Prized, Help Is Free":

TEL AVIV, Israel — Jewish and Arab, straight and gay, secular and religious, the patients who come to Assuta Hospital in Tel Aviv every day are united by a single hope: that medical science will bring them a baby.

Israel is the world capital of in vitro fertilization and the hospital, which performs about 7,000 of the procedures each year, is one of the busiest fertilization clinics in the world.

Unlike countries where couples can go broke trying to conceive with the assistance of costly medical technology, Israel provides free, unlimited IVF procedures for up to two “take-home babies” until a woman is 45. The policy has made Israelis the highest per capita users of the procedure in the world.

“It’s amazing when you think about it,” marveled Keren, 35, who asked to be identified only by her first name. She was seated in a waiting room at Assuta’s in vitro fertilization clinic, a beige canister of her husband’s frozen sperm at her feet. The sperm had been delivered from another hospital where she had her first IVF attempt three years ago, resulting in the birth of her daughter.

“I want at least three kids, and if we had to pay so much money I’m not sure we would be able to do this,” she said.

RTWT.

I love how non-discriminatory the program is. Definitely goes against the "evil" Israel meme. Shoot, progressives ought to be loving a policy like this. Sheesh.

Palestinian Bloodlust

There's some new data out on Palestinian public opinion from Stanley Greenberg.

Here's a roundup:

* David Horowitz goes for the shock value: "Survey Shows Palestinians Far Worse Than the Inhabitants of Nazi Germany" (via Blazing Cat Fur). (Horowitz digs in for the real bloodthirsty findings.)

* And from Evelyn Gordon at Commentary, "New Poll Shows Real Cause of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict."

* The main report is at Jerusalem Post, "6 in 10 Palestinians reject 2-state" (via Israel Matzav.)

I checked for the raw survey form and didn't find it. The Israel Project, the poll's sponsor, tweeted an interview with Greenberg. No matter about the raw internals anyway. History shows that Palestinians don't support Israel's right to exist. These data are of course quite helpful in demonstrating Israel's security needs.

Storm of Troubles Washing Over the Middle East

Mostly economic troubles.

From Caroline Glick, at Jerusalem Post, "Caution: Storm Approaching."

Glick is her characteristically realist self, and I mean that in a good way (not in the Walt/Mearsheimer way).

Israel Navy Stops International Solidarity 'Fishing Boat'

The progressive exterminators are all up in arms about it, but they brought it on themselves.

At Israel Matzav, "'Palestinians': Israel fired on Gaza patrol boat."

The ship is the Oliva, according to the pro-terror Electronic Intifada.

Women in Israel's Military

From the IDF, a follow-up from yesterday:

VIDEO: Israel's Female Combat Hummer Operators

From the IDF: