Philadelphia Jewish Community Condemns Rocket Attack On Synagogue In Western Negev

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has issued strong condemnation of last Thursday’s Gaza rocket attack on the Rabbi Chen synagogue in Netivot, a small Jewish community located in the center of Israel’s Western Negev region, 18 miles from Gaza.

Netivot is the “sister city” of the Philadelphia Jewish community.

In the words of Lynn B. Edelman, spokesperson of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, “We are thankful that, while the building was lightly damaged, no one was injured in this senseless act of terrorism. We stand beside the people of Israel and defend their right to live securely… and in safety and support the efforts of the Israeli government to defend its citizens.”

Last Thursday, for the first time since Israel’s January incursion into Gaza, the Hamas government in Gaza took credit for the rocket attack on Netivot. The rocket exploded in a synagogue courtyard in the city, located only a few dozen feet from a crowded supermarket.

An Israeli paramedic team treated five people for shock.

“It was a miracle,” said eyewitnesses. “Fortunately, there was no one in the synagogue, and the shrapnel hit the windows and furniture.”

Gazans have launched 25 rocket attacks on the Western Negev region in Israel since last Thursday’s attack in Netivot.

“Unfortunately, we’re back to the starting point,” said Shaar Hanegev regional council Mayor Alon Schuster, who commented on the fact that the Israeli incursion into Gaza was not showing that it had any effect on stopping the current spate of attacks.

The Israeli military response to these attacks has been to order daily Israeli Air Force (IAF) attacks on the arms smuggling tunnels. However, all Israeli intelligence sources report that these attacks do not act as any kind of deterrent to the continuing rocket attacks into Israel.

The security establishment continues receiving intelligence warnings about the intentions of the terror organizations to maintain rocket-fire at Israel’s southern communities.

With a new government in Israel still in the formative process, its adversaries seem to know the Israeli government is currently unable to take any real initiative to decisively halt these attacks which have engendered an emergency atmosphere of total panic in southern Israel.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com