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U.S. lauds Israeli restraint in face of Qassam rocket attacks
By Shahar Ilan and Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondents and News Agencies

The United States praised Israel on Thursday for showing "great restraint" in the face of new rocket attacks from the Palestinian group Hamas but added that Israel also has a right to defend itself.

Israel Air Force strikes on Thursday destroyed a Hamas security headquarters and a car carrying one of the group's top commanders. Israel had threatened a "severe" response to cross-border rocket attacks that have persisted despite a troop and settler pullout from Gaza in 2005.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack urged restraint on all sides but said Israel had the right to respond to rocket attacks from Hamas, which he blamed for the latest upsurge in Palestinian violence.

"Israel has the right to defend itself and it has exercised great restraint in the face of these rocket attacks," McCormack told reporters.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke earlier to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas as well as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert about the latest violence.

"She wanted to talk to them directly and see how they saw the situation," said McCormack. "We certainly want to see a reduction or an end to the violence but let's remember how that violence started and it started with these Hamas-led forces."

The current round of fighting began last Friday between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Abbas's Fatah. More than 40 Palestinians have been killed in the most serious violence since the two groups formed a unity government in March.

At a news conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. President George W. Bush expressed concern over the violence in Gaza.

"We strongly urge the parties to work toward a two-state solution. Looking forward to continuing to work on this issue," he said.

"I've instructed my secretary of state to be actively engaged," Bush added.

"We understand the fright that can come when you're worried about a rocket landing on top of your home," he added.

Rice has sought in recent months to revive stalled peace efforts between the Palestinians and the Israelis, visiting the region almost monthly to try and bring the two sides together.

Asked how the latest violence affected her ability to continue this mission, McCormack said the United States remained "deeply engaged" and Rice planned to visit the region in the near future. He did not provide a date.

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett released an official statement Thursday saying "I remain deeply worried by the continuing violence between militias in the Gaza Strip. We want to see the latest cease-fire take hold, for the sake of all the people of Gaza. I support President Abbas' efforts to achieve this."

"I also deplore rocket attacks from Gaza against Israel, attacks that are bringing suffering to Israeli civilians."

"I would like to express my sorrow for the families of civilians killed and injured, on all sides. I call on all parties to refrain from violence and to restore to the people of Gaza and nearby Israeli communities the security that they need and deserve."

Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday called on the government to cut off the power and water supplies in the Gaza Strip in a controlled fashion.

The opposition leader added that he supports a limited ground incursion into the Qassam firing area, roughly four kilometers past the border.

Speaking from the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, where the Likud party was marking the 30th anniversary of the party's first elections victory, Netanyahu said that the paralysis and helplessness of the government "must leave this world".

"The government isn't doing anything," Netanyahu said, "Begin understood that the government's top priority was the lives of its citizens. This government doesn't realize that it must stop the methodical bombing of citizens' homes."

"Everyone must imagine what would happen if his house was hit by a Qassam," he added.

While Netanyahu was addressing his fellow Likud members in Jerusalem, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni spoke with German Foreign Minister Frank Steinmeyer.

Livni said that if the international community does not put an end to the Qassam firings, Israel will be forced to do so.

The foreign minister added that she expects that the European Union to be involved in diplomatic efforts, condemn the Qassam firings and identify with the residents of Sderot.

U.S. lauds Israeli restraint in face of Qassam rocket attacks (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/860752.html)

Please pray for Israel. I have a feeling, they are going to need the prayers this summer.

Brothers and Sisters,

There does come a time when common sense must prevail and call war what it is - WAR! There are determined terrorists armies around the world who will have war, regardless of what anyone does. There is no appeasement, dialog, or diplomacy with them, AND they won't go away. There is no way to disengage, rather a choice of where the engagements will be made. WE must learn the same lessons that Israel will be learning. WAR is not a matter of our choice, rather the determined enemies who WILL have war with us regardless of what we do.

It really does boil down to this simple truth. Any decision we make in an attempt to placate them is simply seen as a sign of weakness. It encourages them and results in the deaths of more innocent people. Life means nothing to them, and the deaths of our innocent people is what they really want - ON OUR SOIL. What will it take to wake up our leaders and politicians? Do they have a brain cell left to think with? We will have wars whether we want them or not, so it simply boils down to us choosing the battlegrounds and the times instead of letting the enemy make all of the choices.

Brothers and Sisters, we should all give thanks for every moment of peace, safety, and freedom that we enjoy. They have been paid for by generations of brave men and women. I also know it has been part of our blessings from GOD that we certainly don't deserve. Our nations also need to get right with GOD and pray that HE will again sit as the unquestioned MASTER over all of us. The times ahead are going to be rough, and we may soon learn the consequences of our nations turning away from ALMIGHTY GOD.

As Christians, our part is simple. GOD is our unquestioned MASTER, and we should make sure that everyone knows this fact. It's far past time to be lukewarm OR COLD in the honor, praise, and worship of ALMIGHTY GOD. We MUST be HOT in these things and give GOD the proper honor and place in our lives. Our other duties as Christians are what they've always been:

Pray;

Share the GOOD NEWS of JESUS CHRIST AND THE CROSS;

Yield to GOD in whatever way HE wishes to use us;

Become strong in the LORD with prayer and Bible Study;

Encourage and strengthen other Brothers and Sisters in CHRIST;

Make GOD the HEAD of all things in our lives!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 15:1-3 NASB  Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME."

Psalms 119:133 NASB  Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

Proverbs 15:6 NASB  Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble is in the income of the wicked.

Matthew 5:6 NASB  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

1 Corinthians 6:17 NASB  But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

Hebrews 4:16 NASB  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Philippians 4:19-20 NASB  And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.