Israeli forces advance deep into Gaza urban areas

AP – Palestinian youths inspect the rubble of a mosque and Islamic school after it was destroyed in an Israeli …

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Israeli ground forces made their deepest foray yet Sunday into Gaza's most populated area, with tanks rolling into residential neighborhoods and infantry fighting urban warfare in streets and buildings with Hamas militants who kept up their rocketing of southern Israel.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said residential neighborhoods in Gaza are riddled with homemade bombs and booby traps, including mannequins placed at apartment entrances to simulate militants and rigged to explode if soldiers approach.

The army "is advancing more into urban areas," said the spokeswoman, Maj. Avital Leibovich. "Since the majority of the Hamas militants are pretty much in hiding in those places, mainly urban places, then we operate in those areas."

Late Sunday, dense plumes of smoke from explosions rose over Gaza City and heavy gunfire was heard just south of the city. Early Monday, Israeli navy gunboats fired more than 25 shells at Gaza City, setting fires and shaking office buildings, including the local bureau of The Associated Press. The military said that in general, the targets are Hamas installations but had no immediate information about the shelling that began just after midnight.

Gaza medical officials say at least 870 Palestinians, about half of them civilians, have been killed in the conflict that began Dec. 27 with Israeli airstrikes on Hamas buildings, as well as suspected rocket launch sites and smuggling tunnels on the Egyptian border. Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, have died.

Read it all:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090111/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_palestinians

5 Somali pirates drown with ransom share

Update on the $3 million paid by the Saudi's to the Somali pirates. I guess they never learned how to swim in islamic studies classes.

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Five of the pirates who hijacked a Saudi supertanker drowned with their share of a $3 million ransom, a relative said Saturday, the day after the bundle of cash was apparently dropped by parachute onto the deck of the ship.

The Sirius Star and its 25 crew sailed safely away Friday at the end of a two-month standoff in the Gulf of Aden, where pirates attacked over 100 ships last year. Hundreds more kidnapped sailors remain in the hands of pirates.

The drowned pirates' boat overturned in rough seas, and family members were still looking for four missing bodies, said Daud Nure, another pirate who knew the men involved.

Piracy is one of the few ways to make money in Somalia. Half the population is dependent on aid and a whole generation has grown up knowing nothing but war. A recent report by London's Chatham House think-tank said pirates raked in more than $30 million in ransoms last year.

Read it all:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090110/ap_on_bi_ge/piracy

Muslims in the US, Now is Our Time?

On Obama's inauguration, Muslims say, 'It's our time''I believe he will help bring about a better understanding Islam is religion of peace'

A magazine that proudly promotes itself as Muslim has announced a special edition for Barack Obama's inauguration as president, with Editor Nida Kahn claiming, "It's our time."

Is he trying to say that Obama is a muslim? I believe he is.

The publication, Elan magazine, also includes endorsements of Obama's familiarity with Islam from the daughter of Malcolm X and Benjamin F. Chavis Muhammad, the chief of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, as well as others.

The magazine, which calls itself the "guide to global Muslim culture," is distributed in the U.S., Pakistan, Indonesia, Canada, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, as well as online.

Its cover story for the edition, "Muslim World Embraces Obama," "explores the hopes and aspirations of Muslims regarding America's new president."

Read it all:

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=85748

JEWISH WEDDING 'JIHAD'

RANK PRANK: Stephen Buttafuoco (right) faces a hate-crime rap after allegedly playing Arabic chants at the wedding of David and Amanda Zar (left).

A Long Island waiter rebelling against his pastor father terrorized guests at a Jewish wedding reception, blasting a recording of a pro-Palestinian rally that included Arabic chants through the DJ's microphone, authorities said yesterday.

Stephen Buttafuoco, 23, was charged with an aggravated harassment as a hate crime for allegedly blaring "Allahu akbar," Arabic for "God is great" - scaring more than 700 guests at the wedding of David and Amanda Zar, who were wrapping up the reception at the Woodbury Jewish Center at around 1 a.m. last Sunday, Nassau County cops said.

Buttafuoco, who was arrested Friday and is not related to infamous Long Island lothario Joey Buttafuoco, allegedly "admitted he did this with the intent of disrespecting the [Jewish] religion," according to court papers.

He was arraigned yesterday in Nassau County District Court and released on $1,500 bail.
His lawyer, Thomas Spreer, insisted his client is not a terrorist, just a confused kid trying to rebel against his minister father.

"He did a foolish and impulsive act," Spreer claimed. "He's not a radical. He didn't even know they were on the air. He feels absolutely horrendous."

Sure he didn't. Liar.

Buttafuoco, a Queens College creative-arts student, had been at a pro-Palestinian rally in Manhattan a day before the wedding, and recorded the chanting on his cellphone.

At the Jewish Center, Buttafuoco thought he was playing the recording just for a friend, and didn't realize it would be blared to the whole reception, his lawyer said.

Another Lie. This was done purposefully. Why else would he record this shit?

Morrell Caterers, which handles weddings at three Long Island temples, including the Woodbury Jewish Center, said Buttafuoco was fired on the spot.

"We took appropriate action. We fired the gentleman in question and we called the police," said co-owner Scott Morrell.

Spreer said his client was not anti-Semitic, and had worked for Morrell Caterers for about two years without any problem.

Read koran, become terrorist. This was terrorism.

Stephen "was just quietly rebelling against his dad," Spreer said.

The father, Dan Buttafuoco, is an ex-Marine who serves as a minister at the Gateway Life Center, a Pentecostal church in Babylon, LI, and says he's a supporter of Israel.

"He was just fooling around with his friend. He didn't realize it was being echoed around the whole building," the devastated dad said outside his Suffolk County home yesterday.

Sure he didn't. That is why it was on the PA system.

"We have nothing against any other religious background, especially the Jewish people. We love them."

The family wants to make amends to the Jewish community, Spreer said.

The incident has mortified the Buttafuoco family, his father said. "I've been appalled by it. My wife and I are just very hurt. We're scared."

The groom wasn't too concerned, however.

"I'm still celebrating my wedding and I really don't want to think about this," David Zar told The Post.

Pro-jihad, pro-Hamas rally in New York City today

High jihad fashion

I find it hard to believe that more and more people are dressing like this in the us. They are supporting a horrible terrorist group, the muslims of Gaza that want only one thing: The death of all Jews. I am sick of seeing swasticas alligned with the Star of David. The real nazis where not as bad a these muslims and their useful idiots. Now the rest of the world seems to be supporting the muslims that fire rockets into Israel almost daily.

Muslim Krystallnacht Chicago 2008: Reader David's Synagogue (and 4 Others!) Attacked (Obviously by Muslims)

"Religion of Peace" Vandalizes Lincolnwood Synagogue Near Chicago
With "Death to Israel; Free Palestine" Graffiti, Broken Windows

From Debbie Schlussel.

I've repeatedly warned about this. It's not just the Muslims overseas. It's the Muslims in America. They are no different, no less extreme, no more "moderate" than Muslims anywhere else.

Recently, I told you about a Molotov cocktail thrown at a Chicago synagogue and destruction at a Lubavitch synagogue in North Carolina. Now, reader David writes about how, Saturday--the Jewish Sabbath (also called "Shabbos" or "Shabbat"), he walked to synagogue on the way to a special celebration he and his family planned. But they arrived to yellow tape around their vandalized synagogue, complete with anti-Semitic slogans:

Debbie:

I don't know what happen in other cities, but let me tell you what happened in Chicago early this Shabbos morning.

My father in law passed away a little over a year ago. His name was Morton Pliskin and he was the Chazan [DS: cantor] of a Traditional Synagogue named Lincolnwood Jewish Congregation in Lincolnwood Illinois (a suburb of Chicago, near Skokie).

To commemerate the long years of service my father in had to the synagogue, my family dedicated the chair he used to sit in and sponsored the kiddush [DS: a Jewish reception blessing wine (and usually featuring food)].

When we walked to synagogue this morning, we saw yellow crime scene tape around the front steps. On the wall near the door was painted "Death to Israel long live Palestine". Also, the glass on the front doors was taped. It seems that bricks were used to smash the windows. We are not certain, but we believe an there were plans to enter the synagogue and to destroy everything inside.

There is a couple that lives in the synagogue. In return for a free place to live (I am sure they receive a salary and other expenses but I don't know the entire agreement), they serve as caretakers for the building and help set up for special events. The husband is also kind enough that whenever it snows he takes care of making sure my Mother-in-Law's sidewalks and driveway are clean.
The wife heard a noise and woke up. She saw the two perpetrators. They immediately ran away. Unfortunately she cannot identify them because these "heroes of Islam" were wearing ski masks.

The police told us other (I believe 4 but I do not remember) Synagogues in Chicago were also hit.

Something struck me in synagogue today when I was thinking about what happened. Something that myself and I am sure everyone else takes for granted. I was wondering how many mosques in Chicago (or anywhere else) were hit last night.

Sincerely,David Makowsky

I personally believe that we need to show the "religion of peace" what is means to be victims. These people are acting with impunity. You know that PC Chicago will never find the muslims that did this.