Can Israeli deterrence succeed where Allah’s failed?

The one-stop news site covering Israel, the region and the Jewish people worldwide THE DAILY EDITION   WHAT MATTERS MOST ON » THU, DEC 25, 2014   Share This:    Visit the timesofisrael.com - updated 24/7. The Jewish world's fastest-growing website. Click here! CAMPAIGN NOTEBOOK: DECEMBER 25 For Yisrael Beytenu, an investigation to end all investigations? Long immune to political fallout from corruption probes, Avigdor Liberman and his party may be facing a harsh new reality By HAVIV RETTIG GUR Dozens remain detained in Yisrael Beytenu graft case By TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF Two more MKs abandon Livni’s Hatnua party By STUART WINER Pre-election video stars zombie Livni By STUART WINER ANALYSIS Even the Almighty had to change tack Can Israeli deterrence succeed where God’s failed? A flare up on the Gaza border shows that Israel’s enemies aren’t afraid to challenge it, calling into question a time-tested defense strategy By MITCH GINSBURG Analysis: In Gaza, an unwanted escalation could be a slippery slope By AVI ISSACHAROFF After flare-up, Gaza bolsters security presence along border By JUSTIN JALIL IDF will respond firmly to threats, Gantz vows after Gaza attack By TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF In Israel, I can celebrate Christmas MELANIE TAKEFMANSinging the carols and watching the specials without that Jewish Diaspora guilt The birth of forgiveness (Vayigash) JONATHAN SACKS When Joseph meets the brothers who sold him into slavery, his response changes humanity Recipes for disaster and red lentil soup VARDA SPIEGEL Israel’s security hinges on making sure that its talented young people have a reason to stay In Dallas, a storied Jewish ‘Christmas Day Classic’ turns 50 Annual football game endures, as veteran players who started in their teens return to the field with their grown children Iran touts ‘drug addict radar’ Scientist claims system can detect users from nearly a mile away, measure narcotic levels in their blood Soccer manager indicted for sexually assaulting teens Prosecution says Hapoel Petah Tikva’s Ofer Tzabari used social media to gain trust of victims before abusing them IDF officer given the boot for alleged sexual harassment Liran Hajbi, a battalion commander in the Givati Brigade, had taken a leave of absence following female subordinate’s accusations HEBREW MEDIA REVIEW THU, DEC 25, 2:20 PM Beytenu on the take? Accusations that senior politicians, many tied to Yisrael Beytenu, were running a massive racket trading bribes for favors hit the newstands Jewish world erupts as USY gives interdating a kinder spin Acknowledging and welcoming the children of intermarriage is not the same thing as condoning it, say Conservative Jewish leaders By AMANDA BORSCHEL-DAN Police to probe shooting of 5-year-old Palestinian Cops reverse claim that there was no riot activity in the area when Muhammad Jamal Ubeid was hit by a rubber bullet By STUART WINER Related article: Israel returns bodies of Har Nof terrorists to family Ex-envoy to US Michael Oren joins new Kulanu party American-born former ambassador, once considered a Netanyahu ally, officially teams up with Kahlon for March elections By JUSTIN JALIL Related article: Kahlon’s party Kulanu gets its second recruit Israel balks at US request to praise new Cuba policy Shut out of decision, America’s lone embargo supporter holds off on welcoming historic thaw with Havana By TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF A Christmas tree grows in (the other) Bethlehem A former bus driver tends a forest of cypresses up north for Israel’s Christians By JESSICA STEINBERG Related article: Thousands flock to Bethlehem for Christmas celebrations Jordanian pilot’s family pleads with Islamic State for mercy Moaz al-Kasasbeh’s brother says captured anti-IS coalition soldier is a ‘pious man’ who always flew with a Quran By TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF Jordache Jeans founders purchase $90m. Miami hotel Brothers Joe, Avi and Ralph Nakash now concentrating on real estate acquisitions in the US and Israel By TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF Iranian military begins massive drill in Persian Gulf Ground forces, navy and air force to participate in week-long exercise near Strait of Hormuz By TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF and AP Secular activist crusades for religious access to the Temple Mount Joining forces with radical right-wingers preparing for a third Temple, Linda Olmert frames Jewish prayer at the holy site as a civil rights issue By RENEE GHERT-ZAND