On Sunday afternoon, a soldier and resident of Ramat Gan, a Tel Aviv suburb, got off a bus in Ramat Gan and headed for home on furlough. Eyewitnesses say an Arab got off immediately after him and began stabbing the 20-year-old soldier in the throat.

As the soldier ran, bleeding, for a few yards toward the neighborhood kiosk, the stabber ran toward the nearby yards and disappeared.

When the kiosk owner observed the soldier, he immediately recognized him. He quickly called the soldier’s mother, who came running and calmed her son until the arrival of the ambulance.

“Calm down, everything is going to be all right,” the mother reassured her son.

Shalom Barda, who drove the bus the soldier and the stabber had traveled in, did not notice anything out of the ordinary at first, until he began to hear the shouts on the street.

“The soldier ran quietly, without saying a thing. You could see that he was in shock,” Mr. Barda said. “The stabber ran in the opposite direction, entered the yards and disappeared.” Another eyewitness who was at the spot added: “The soldier was in shock and mumbled over and over: ‘An Arab stabbed me, an Arab stabbed me.’ ”

Hillel Hoenig, the paramedic who treated the soldier, said he had described the stabbing to him and said the stabber came up from behind and injured him with a knife.

“When I got there, I saw the soldier with a cut throat, bleeding.” The [soldier’s] friends who heard about the incident suspected that it was their friend and tried to call him several times. “When we saw that he wasn’t answering anybody, we knew it was him, and ran to the hospital,” related one of the friends.

The soldier was evacuated to Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital in a fully conscious state.

Several dozen police officers began to comb the area in search of the escaped stabber, who has not yet been caught. They went into every shelter and warehouse, opened up dumpsters and tried to locate the stabber using the following description: “A curly-haired Arab dressed in a blue shirt and black or blue pants.”

The police forces were also joined by many civilians, who wished to help in the search and a police helicopter was launched in an attempt to track down the stabber.

Dr. Pinhas Halperin, director of the Emergency Medicine Unit at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, said yesterday the soldier’s condition was good.

“He sustained light to moderate injuries, and his life is not in immediate danger. Sometimes there are injuries that are revealed a few hours later, and therefore he will remain under supervision tonight,” said Dr. Halperin.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

A report issued by the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel says the Hamas regime in Gaza has retained its military capability and could be ready for an imminent war with Israel.

The Hamas military, despite sustaining a harsh blow, was not crippled by Israel during the 22-day war, which lasted from Dec. 27, 2008 to Jan. 18, 2009.

The report said hundreds of Hamas soldiers have gone to Iran, Lebanon and Syria for advanced training in light arms, explosives and other military skills.

“It cannot be ruled out that the next round of warfare is closer than ever,” the report said.

The report, authored by researcher Guy Aviad, said Hamas learned key lessons from Hezbollah’s war with Israel in 2006.

Mr. Aviad wrote in the report, titled “The Hamas Military Wing in the Gaza Strip: Developments, Behavior and Forecast,” Hamas has focused on preparing a surprise for Israel.

“The military wing of Hamas is far from falling apart and has retained sufficient capability, both in terms of munitions and skilled manpower to challenge the Israel Defense Forces in the future,” the report said.

Each Hamas field brigade contains between 1,000 and 1,500 soldiers, the report said. The soldiers reportedly have been trained in concealment, anti-tank operations, intelligence and in the use of improvised explosive devices.

During the war with Israel, Hamas concentrated on anti-tank operations, using rocket-propelled grenades and the indigenous Yasin anti-tank missile, named for the terror group’s founder.

The report said Hamas also distributed its Grad-class rockets and other weapons among its units throughout the Gaza Strip in an effort to sustain fire of up to 100 missiles, mortars and rockets into Israel per day.

The rockets also threatened Israel Air Force bases, aircraft and the naval port at Ashdod.

“Hamas’ ability to sustain firepower was from its viewpoint one of its most important achievements during the conflict,” the report said.

The report said Hamas’ military command, led by Ahmed Jabari, survived the war intact.

Mr. Aviad said this has allowed Hamas to renew hostilities against Israel at a moment’s notice. Hamas security chief Salah Abu Sharah, who was assassinated by Israel, was the sole exception.

“One must not doubt the ability of Hamas to learn from the past conflict for the future, to fill its ranks and rearm with means that will improve its capabilities,” the report said.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

Tomorrow, President Shimon Peres will become the first Israeli leader to meet with President Barack Obama since his entrance into the White House.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with Mr. Obama in two weeks, and until then, Mr. Peres will serve as his representative.

During his meeting with Mr. Obama, Mr. Peres will discuss a series of subjects with him, mainly the Arab initiative for regional peace and its relationship to the fight against the Iranian nuclear program.

The Israeli president will reinforce Israel’s view that Iran threatens its very existence, and Mr. Netanyahu will use all means necessary to prevent the Islamic state from obtaining a nuclear bomb.

Mr. Peres is also expected to tell Mr. Obama the prime minister is capable of ordering an attack against Iran if he reaches the conclusion the effort to stop it from obtaining nuclear weapons has failed.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

The mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, launched a special section of the municipal Web site in Hebrew and English ahead of the visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Mayor Barkat welcomes visitors with the following text:

“On behalf of the residents of Jerusalem, it is my distinct honor to welcome His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, and the thousands of pilgrims from around the world that will be visiting Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the heart and soul of the Jewish people and a special city to more than 3 billion people of faith around the world.

“The rich history of Jerusalem continues to bring together great religions and their leaders from many cultures and faiths. Jerusalem is a true city of peace, where people of all backgrounds may practice their religious beliefs freely. Throughout the hills of Jerusalem you will breathe air full of compassion and joy, hope and happiness, rooted in the spirituality of our holy city. I know you will be inspired and rejuvenated by the faith found in every corner of Jerusalem. I welcome His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and each and every pilgrim with a message of perseverance for peace. With this historic and important visit to Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Israel, I know that we have taken one step closer to the religious freedom and tolerance we strive to achieve throughout the world and here in our Holy City. I wish His Holiness and all of our guests a joyous and fulfilling visit to Jerusalem.”

The municipal Web site is www.jerusalem.muni.il, and clicking the “EN” in the top left corner gives one access to the English section. The new section includes biographical information, relevant historical information and links to other governmental Web sites.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

Israeli President Shimon Peres left on Saturday night for an official visit to Washington, D.C.

He will be attending the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) annual conference today, honoring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to represent Israel at the event.

AIPAC is widely known as Israel’s unofficial lobby organization. Mr. Peres will deliver the main address before the conference today. The president’s office announced he “will discuss the need for Israel to make peace and will emphasize that we are entering a decisive year in the Middle East.”

Mr. Peres will also meet with high-level America policymakers, including: President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

He also plans to visit New York and meet with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

The Israeli president’s office says Mr. Peres plans to seek to broaden strategic cooperation between Israel and the U.S., provide a thorough analysis of the advancement of the peace process with the Palestinians and try to work to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions during his meetings with Mr. Obama and other U.S. leaders.

Mr. Peres’ press secretary said he plans to grant a number of interviews to television, radio and print magazines, including: Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, National Public Radio, Wolf Blitzer on CNN, and Joe Scarborough’s “Morning Joe” program on MSNBC.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

The government of Israel has just inaugurated a special Web site dedicated to the upcoming pilgrimage of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Israel, set to take place from May 11-15.

The Web site, presented in eight languages (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, German and Hebrew), contains textual and audiovisual information on the Papal pilgrimage, Israel-Vatican relations, Christian communities in Israel and Christian holy sites throughout the country.

The Web site will provide regular updates throughout the course of the visit.

The Web site will also provide live broadcasts of events during the Pope’s pilgrimage, including a visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Memorial on May 11, Masses at the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem on May 12 and at the Mount of the Precipice in Nazareth on May 14, as well as visits to the site of the Last Supper on May 12 and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on May 15.

The site may be accessed at the following address: http://PopeinIsrael.org.il

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

Philadelphia native Harriet Levin doesn’t ask herself “what if” it hadn’t happened. Harriet Levin believes in destiny. Her son’s destiny was to die in a war for Israel and become part of this country.

“Mikey did what I always wanted to do and never did. He made aliyah (immigrated) to Israel and enlisted in the IDF (the Israel Defense Forces),” she said. “I always dreamed of doing more for my country, of coming and volunteering.

“After all, it’s the easiest thing live in a big, beautiful house in the United States and to write a check for a pro-Israeli organization every once in a while. I wanted to give a lot more, but I didn’t think I’d give so much, that I’d give my son.”

Harriet Levin saw, last year and from afar, the Lebanese village where her son, Sgt. Michael Levin, 22, was killed by a Hezbollah sniper in 2006.

She spoke with his friends from the unit who we were with him in his final moments, asking for every detail. She keeps in touch with the medic who tried to save him.

Last Monday night, Harriet Levin participated in a special ceremony for IDF personnel fallen from the Jewish diaspora, organized in Jerusalem by the Jewish Agency for Israel’s MASA project and attended by thousands of current and former members of Jewish Agency diaspora projects.

When Mikey’s good friend, Aaron, spoke at the ceremony of his choice to immigrate to Israel, a decision he made the day after the sergeant was killed, Harriet Levin broke down.

“He succeeded in his life’s mission – Zionism, not in his life, but with his death,” she said.

‘Zionism Was

His Dream’

This is Harriet Levin’s third Memorial Day in Israel.

“I can’t be in the United States on this day,” she said. She added that this year’s ceremony at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem, the same place she saw her still-living son receive his red paratrooper’s beret several years ago, was particularly hard.

“Since his birth, I knew he would come to Israel and enlist in the Israel Defense Forces,” she said. “It was his dream, and every visit to Israel just made it stronger.”

During 2001, at the height of the Intifada, he studied in Israel for several months. After witnessing the security situation, he determined not only to enlist, but to go to a combat unit.

Michael Levin followed his dream, enlisted and joined the paratroopers. When the Second Lebanon War broke out, he was visiting family in Philadelphia. He packed his bags and told his family, “I have to go back.”

“After the war, we were told that he was originally assigned to guard in Hebron during the war, but he insisted on joining the fighting, even though the IDF prefers not to send lone soldiers (those with no family in Israel) to the front line,” Harriet said.

Before he left, he was resolute in talking to his father about what would happen if he didn’t make it back from the war. He said he wanted to be buried at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl.

When the family took him to the airport, his twin sister, Dara, said she knew at that moment that it would be the last time she would see him.

She missed his last phone call and only heard his voicemail saying, “It’s crazy what’s happening here, it’s just hell. We’ll talk when it’s over.” They never got to.

Can’t Escape

The Memories

On Memorial Day, Harriet can’t escape the memories of Aug. 1, 2006, the day her son died.

“I couldn’t sleep,” she recalled. “I went to work with a feeling that something bad was going to happen. All of a sudden, a representative from the consulate and the congregation’s rabbi arrived and told me that Mikey had been killed. After the first shock had passed, we were asked where we would like him to be buried. We answered immediately – Mount Herzl.”

Harriet was accompanied to the ceremony by a close friend and her son who came with her from the U.S. The former director for new immigrants at the Jewish Agency, considered the “father of the lone soldiers” who was closely acquainted with Mikey, also joined to lend her his support, as did several of her son’s friends from the army.

Harriet returns to Philadelphia next week, but part of her roots will forever be in Plot D, Row 6, at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

A new Washington Institute report indicates the Obama administration’s efforts to reconcile with Iran has made Egypt uneasy and caused alarm in Cairo.

The report, authored by researchers David Pollock and Mohammad Yaghi, said Egyptian and other Arab diplomats have not been comforted by the administration’s efforts to reassure them its change in policy toward Iran does not mean abandoning its opposition to Tehran’s nuclear and regional destabilization efforts.

According to the report, titled “Egypt’s Campaign against Iran Sends Washington a Signal,” Egypt’s announcement of the presence of a Hezbollah network in Cairo and the Sinai Peninsula was meant to express President Hosni Mubarak’s dismay over U.S. policy toward Iran.

The Egyptians have been particularly concerned over Iranian attempts to infiltrate Arab states. The Hezbollah cell, reportedly financed by Iran, has been regarded as part of Tehran’s policy of destabilizing pro-U.S. allies in the Middle East.

“At a recent State Department briefing for a select group of friendly Arab states, including Egypt, the U.S. message reportedly emphasized that its efforts to engage Iran now would improve the prospects of confronting Iran later, if necessary,” the report said. “The Arab diplomats apparently did not find this message entirely reassuring, with some asking pointedly about more immediate Iranian threats. Egypt’s new revelations about the Hezbollah plot on its own territory present the most vivid case in point.

“Cairo is sending a signal to Washington that the nuclear file is not the only – or even the most urgent – aspect of the Iranian threat.”

The report also revealed that Egypt arrested the commander of the Hezbollah network in November 2008, but the Mubarak regime refrained from disclosing the network until it decided to try to influence U.S. and Arab policy toward Tehran.

“It clearly reflects that Cairo is taking sides in an increasingly polarized pan-Arab debate on Iranian influence in the region,” the report said. “Especially striking in this case is Cairo’s outspoken challenge not just to Hezbollah, but also to its Iranian patrons.”

The authors of the report urged the Obama administration to help Egypt battle Iranian destabilization efforts. They wrote the Egyptian campaign against Hezbollah could provide Washington with an opportunity to demonstrate its support for its allies in the Arab world.

“The United States should move quickly to provide strong public support and tangible assistance to Egypt and other Arab governments in their efforts to counter Iran’s increasingly brazen subversion,” the report said. “Such a stance is not incompatible with Washington’s search for a way to engage Iran. On the contrary, the essence of smart statecraft lies precisely in the ability to talk while simultaneously protecting one’s interests and preserving one’s principles.”

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman plans to leave next week for his first visit to Europe. Mr. Lieberman will visit Italy, Germany, France and the Czech Republic, where he plans to meet with heads of state.

His trip will focus on obtaining European support in the struggle against Iran’s nuclear program.

Mr. Lieberman will begin his five-day trip in Rome, where he will meet with his Italian counterpart Foreign Minister Franco Frattini on Monday.

From there, he will continue to France, the Czech Republic and Germany to meet with those countries’ foreign ministers.

He plans to warn against the danger of alleviating existing economic sanctions against Iran due to the threat Iran poses to global stability.

Mr. Lieberman also hopes to preserve positive relations between Israel and the European Union during his meetings with the foreign ministers. He also aims to stop an initiative to suspend the planned upgrade in those relations.

There have been mounting calls within Europe to suspend the upgrade in relations until the policies in which the new Netanyahu government states his explicit support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian question.

At the traditional meeting with the diplomatic corps based in Israel that was held Wednesday at the President’s Residence, Mr. Lieberman shook hands with the Egyptian ambassador to Israel, Yasser Rida, who exchanged pleasantries with him.

The Jordanian ambassador to Israel, Ali al-Aid, also shook Foreign Minister Lieberman’s hand.

Mr. Rida told Ma’ariv on Wednesday that “there is no crisis in relations between Egypt and Israel, but, like between brothers, there are sometimes differences in terms of the approach and views, and that is normal.”

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

At a time when global economic boycotts of Iran are being widely reported, Mehdi Ghazanfari, head of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization, has told IRNA, an official Iranian news agency, that five European countries have been Iran’s main trade partners during the past year.

The European countries trading with Iran include: Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and France and are worth $15.4 billion.

“Despite the sanctions imposed on Iran by some Western countries and U.S., the European states are keen on continuing bilateral economic cooperation with Iran,” he said, referring to the figure of trade exchange between Iran and those states.

Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to Turkey, Bahman Hosseinpour, has told another official Iranian news agency, Fars News, the volume of trade between Iran and Turkey has reached a record $12 billion. This follows efforts by officials on both sides. He expressed hope the two countries’ trade exchanges would increase to $20 billion in the near future.

Mr. Hosseinpour made his remarks while speaking at a seminar on expansion of Iran-Turkey trade ties and investments.

Reminding the significant role businessmen play in Turkish-Iranian relations, Mr. Hosseinpour said: “Iran and Turkey as two great states do not deserve such a meager level of trade exchanges. And promoting the volume to a proper level is merely possible through [enhanced activity of] traders.”

He further said although the private sector plays a significant role in international trade on a global scale, the two countries’ governments currently run Turkish-Iranian trade exchanges.

Iranian Minister of Commerce Masoud Mirkazemi is currently in Ankara, Turkey to discuss ways for expansion of commercial cooperation. Mr. Mirkazemi heads an Iranian delegation to Ankara that includes 170 businessmen and exporters from the Iranian private sector.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com