Sderot - Bomb Shelter Capital of the World

Over 14,000 rockets and mortars have been launched at Southern Israel from Gaza. Each of those rockets constitutes a war crime and was meant to murder, to maim, and to terrorize the civilian population of Israel.

In spite of the bombardment of rockets from Gaza, the Israeli casualty rate has been, up to now, fairly low.
Israel has invested millions of dollars in infrastructure to keep its people safe. An early warning system gives residents of Southern Israel a 15 second alert when a rocket has been fired- that can mean the difference between life and death for many. It is also available as a smart phone app. Iron Dome, a mobile missile defense system can shot rockets down before they have a chance to cause mass casualties. And in areas under threat,  Israel has built a comprehensive system of bomb shelters-  at bus stops, in playgrounds, and every where that people gather.

Via Huff Post Sderot - Bomb Shelter Capital of the World

A photo essay of the bomb shelters of Sderot.

Israel invests money in infrastructure to keep its civilian population safe.

Hamas? They have very different priorities.

 

Southern Israel under Seige. Again.

Its been a bad week. The latest escalation of attacks from Gaza began Monday with more than 150 rockets and missiles fired into Israel- an average of 20 a day.

Its looking like the begining of a bad weekend, too. A volley of rockets from Gaza slammed into Southern Israel just minutes ago. At least 15 rockets struck near Sderot, with one exploding in the city’s industrial zone and injuring a man.

The 50-year-old man was hit in the neck by shrapnel from the explosion. Several other Sderot residents were treated for shock.

Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor filed a complaint with the UN declaring that “the lives of about a million Israelis are paralyzed” by these attacks. adding “as long as Israel’s southern communities will not know quiet, it will not be quiet in Gaza.”

In spite of the attacks on Israel, last week 1,243 truckloads (34,062 tons) of aid were delivered to Gaza.

New York. Its got the Ways and Means. Handling BDS, New York Style.

The reports are flowing in from sea to shining sea, and March 30, 2011 was indeed a bg deal. Store across the country reported selling out of Israeli products. JNF phones rang off the hook (Kudos to those of you who requested your tree certificates be sent to Jewish Voice for Peace!)

A buycott Israel flashmob was sighted in the Bay area- Video and photos will be posted as available. But perhaps the winner in innovation this year came out of New York City. An interactive art installation was set up by Artists 4 Israel in Washington Square Park on Monday afternoon. What does this have to do with BDS? It provides context for Israel's defensive action during cast Lead, and thats enough to make the haters squirm uncomfortably.

The Sderot-style shelter, covered with grafitti by top local artists was meant to give New York a taste of the terror involved, living in the shadow of daily attacks from Gaza. Sirens would wail and people had just 15 seconds to sprint to safety before explosions could be heard. Inside the mock shelter, a flat screen TV showed what life was like in beseiged Sderot.

Watch the video of the installation at the Artists 4 Israel's blog. And how about we make a effort to turn this into a travelling exhibit?

UPDATE: More BDS Failures on March 30

BDS Fails in Florida

Also: Because of Winn Dixie

And also from New York City... Rumor has it that luscious young women handed out Victoria's secret underwear, made in Israel, to community members.
They call it ""Panties for peace".