Arabs, really, are masters of weasel words. Hamas leader Mashaal agreed to the Palestinian state, but not for a Jewish state. In effect, Mashaal accepts the 1967 borders for Palestine for now, tolerates Israel de facto, and reserves the right to seek expanding Palestine to the Mediterranean.

Border Police attacked the “illegal outposts” near the ancient Jewish city conquered by Jacob. A small crowd of young Jews defended them in vain.

IDF Home Front Command will distribute refurbished gas masks in 2009, so the army doesn’t expect the Iranian or Syrian retaliatory attack any time sooner.