of blessed memory

Two years ago, Palestinian terrorists broke into the Fogel family home, in the small Israeli community of Itamar. They brutally murdered Ruth and Udi Fogel, and three of their children. The IDF and the Israel Security Agency brought the terrorists to justice. Today, we honor the memory of the Fogel family.

 http://www.idf.il/

Two years since Itamar massacre

 

The victims of the attack.Ruth (35), 

Udi (36), Hadas (3 months), 

Yoav (11) and Elad (4) 

On this day two years ago, five members of the Fogel family were brutally murdered in their home in the Israeli community of Itamar

IDF news  Author: Gabriel Freund

On March 11, 2011, Israel reeled from the news of the shocking deaths of five members of the Fogel family, brutally slaughtered in their family home in the Israeli community of Itamar. On that night, two Palestinian terrorists from the nearby town of Awarta infiltrated the small Israeli community and broke into the Fogel's home while they slept, stabbing to death the parents and three of their children, including Hadas – just three months old.

The IDF responded quickly to the incident, conducting investigations alongside the Israel Security Agency (ISA or Shin Bet) which led to the capture and arrest of the two terrorists – Hakim Awad and Amjad Awam – who were subsequently tried and convicted of five counts of murder. They are currently serving five consecutive life sentences in prison.

The examination into the incident revealed that the men had links to the PFLP terror organization. Hamas sources praised the vicious attack as 'heroic'.

The Fogel family's tragic story reminds us that the IDF has no option other than constant vigilance against the endless attempts of agents of terror to harm Israel's citizens.

The Military Police Corps' Erez Battalion has recorded a sharp increase in seizures and apprehensions at crossings and barriers in the Judea and Samaria and Jerusalem regions in recent years. This alarming trend represents both the evolving methods of would-be illegal infiltrators, as well as the battalion's growing effectiveness in preventing such intrusions.

Among the apprehensions and seizures have been countless cases of forged identity documents, as well as attempts to illegally smuggle weapons. In a recent incident, IDF forces apprehended a terrorist released during the Shalit deal who was attempting to infiltrate Israeli territory.

In 2012 soldiers from the Erez Battalion apprehended 1,450 Palestinians attempting to enter Israel illegally, a sober reminder that IDF forces are the line of defense, every day  preventing the entry of terrorists planning to carry out attacks against Israeli citizens.

For more information on the Erez Battalion:
Security forces face increased hostility at crossings

of blessed memory

In memory of Udi, Ruth, Yoav, Elad and little Hadas we must continue to build Eretz Yisrael with no fear and with jewish strenght. We must honor them and not tolerate anymore. 

Build and not destroy! Defend the Jewish nation and free us of our inhuman enemies.

Please, following your possibilities, support Itamar and building the Land of Yisrael, our G.d given Land.

Let us be One People.

May Hashem avenge their blood

For any information please contact  itamar@shechem.org

Barak working for expansion Itamar

Deputy Mayors Tour Itamar

Israel News photo: Courtesy of Lerner Com

Defense Minister Ehud Barak has approved steps for expanding the area zoned for residential building in the town of Itamar, in Samaria, where two Palestinian Authority Arab terrorists savagely murdered five members of the Fogel family in March 2011.

Officials from Itamar and the Shomron (Samaria) Regional Council confirmed to Arutz Sheva Monday that they have pressuring the government to allow re-zoning that would enable the town to build up to 538 more homes, more than double the number now existing.

The Haaretz newspaper reported that Barak approved the expansion in September after more than a year of pressure that followed the brutal  murders of the Fogel family members, including the parents and a young baby.

The rezoning also approves 137 homes already built, according to the newspaper.

Barak has been a major stumbling block to approving new homes in Judea and Samaria outside of areas that have been zoned for residential building. A few Jewish communities have succeeded in gaining approval for rezoning, but many others have faced political and bureaucratic obstacles.

Once zoning is approved, building usually can take place without the explicit approval of the Defense Minister, who officially is the final authority in Judea and Samaria, which Israel has not annexed as it did in the Golan Heights and all of Jerusalem.

However, the expansion of the residential zone in Itamar has a special clause that requires Barak’s approval.

Nationalists have argued for years that building new homes is the best answer to terrorists who kill Jews in Judea and Samaria.

Itamar Central Committee member Moshe Goldschmidt told Arutz Sheva Monday that it will take time for the re-zoning to reach final approval.

Shomron Regional Council liaison David Ha’Ivri said, “There also are negotiations between regional councils and the government. Barak always is trying to make it difficult [for us], but political give-and-take allows for opportunities.

“That does not mean that Barak has woken up to say, “How can I help Jews in Judea and Samaria.’”

Arutz Sheva

Israel decides to demolish homes of Fogel murderers

The defense establishment has decided to demolish the homes of the two terrorists who murdered five members of the Fogel family in Itamar.

The decision by Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz, subject to approval by legal authorities, was broadcast Sunday morning on Army Radio.

The report claimed the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) had recommended demolishing the homes of Hakim and Ajmad Awad, both of whom had announced their pride in their crime.

Two parents, two young boys and a baby were brutally slaughtered as they slept in their home on a Friday night. Their 12-year-old daughter and sister came home to find the carnage after attending a Sabbath evening activity with her youth group. Only two of her little brothers miraculously survived, having escaped the notice of the terrorists during their murderous rampage.

"This was one of the most brutal terrorist attacks ever, and the Shabak thinks the demolition is a punitive step that may deter other terrorists from carrying out such horrendous crimes,” the report quoted former Shin Bet chief Yaakov Perry as saying.

Several years ago, the Shin Bet, known by the Hebrew acronym “Shabak” ended its long-standing policy of advocating the demolition of terrorists' homes. The reason for the change was based on the theory that doing so did not discourage terrorism and instead resulted further legal complications.

Although the agency has not changed its opinion, officials said that in the case of the Fogel murders, the specific viciousness of the murders warranted demolition of the homes because several relatives of the terrorists acted as accessories to murders.

The relatives, who live in the nearby village of Awarta close to Itamar, helped to hide their weapons and destroy the evidence.

source

arab attack nearby Itamar

souce Arutz Sheva

Two Jewish shepherds from the Shomron community of Itamar were injured on the adjacent Arnon Hill (777) on Thursday by a gang of local Arabs wielding clubs and rocks.

IDF forces were called to the scene and succeeded in dispersing the Arabs, who were still throwing stones at the shepherds when the soldiers arrived.

The scalp of one Jewish shepherd was torn open, while the other sustained injuries to his hands and lower body. Both received medical treatment at the scene.

Samaria Council head Gershon Mesika said that the incident was a serious one.

“It could have ended in a 'lynch' murder by Arabs of the two Jewish farmers. This is the second such incident in this area. Both incidents had the same characteristics, and the perpetrators both came from the same village.”

A similar attack occurred last week near Itamar when ​​Arabs from Aqraba, a village south of Shechem, and radical left-wing activists from the "Combatants for Peace" organization accosted local Jews.

Memorial video

Don't forget want they do to us. And will always doif we don't strong defend ouserlves. Itamar as Toulouse.

Fogel family memorial 2012

I wish to commemorate even the secular the first Yahrtzeit of the Fogel Family HY’D.
A year ago, 11 March  (6th Adar 5772- 29th February 2012), five members of the same family were murdered in their beds. 

Udi, Ruth, Yoav, Elad and Hadas Fogel from Itamar, a mother, father and three of their children who were brutally murdered while in their home on a Friday night last year.
Their brutal murder, and what followed it really displays the nature of Am Yisrael. Throughout our history we have been persecuted, and murdered, yet this persecution has caused us to strengthen and continue to build and to grow as a nation, just as the people of Itamar have done, building a new Bet Midrash in memory of Udi Fogel.

In Yechezkel, it says “בדמיך חיי” - “In your blood you shall live”.

We will not be silenced. We will not succumb. We will grow and we will build. This is our revenge.

B'H" Fogel family memorial day at Itamar

The Fogel family names live on

The last year has seen at least 20 babies become the namesakes of the late Udi, Ruthie, Yoav, Elad and Hadas Fogel 
"People keep calling us to tell us of another baby boy or girl," says Tali Ben-Yishai, Ruthie's mother. The perpetual commemoration keeps growing stronger."  
Of the 20 babies, five were born to the extended Ben-Yishai family, five were born to Itamar residents and at least 10 babies were born throughout the country – mostly to people who didn't even know the Fogels but decided they could not remain indifferent.  
The first baby, Yair Silver from Itamar, was born three days before the massacre. Ruthie Fogel was the one who helped his mother Chana recuperate after giving birth. After the massacre Chana decided to name her son Yair – using the Hebrew initials from Yoav, Elad, Udi and Ruthie's names.
"There is no consolation for what we lost, but each of these new babies show that our children have left a mark, meaning, and strength," said Tali Ben-Yishai.

The commemoration ceremony in Itamar (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

New beit midrash Mishkan Ehud in Itamar (Photo: Gil Yohanan

Meanwhile, on Wednesday the anniversary of the brutal massacre of the Fogel family was marked with a special ceremony in Itamar.
Among those attending were Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin, Interior Minister Eli Yishai, senior IDF officers, Knesset members, rabbis and hundreds of civilians. A Torah scroll was be brought into Mishkan Ehud, the new beit midrash inaugurated in memory of the family.
President Shimon Peres sent a letter of condolence to the family in which he wrote: "The year that has passed since that shocking day cannot dull, even a little, the awful pain, the yearning and the sorrow."
The president added that "the massacre victims' legacy to us is one of life that makes our existence as a nation possible."

Yair Altman contributed to the report

source

Rivlin to speak in memory of Fogels

Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin will speak in Itamar on Wednesday night in memory of the five members of the Fogel family murdered in the town one year ago. His speech will be part of festivities celebrating the opening of a new Torah study hall dedicated to the memory of the slain.

Itamar constructs new religious center in memory of Fogel family

Stonemason and artist Assaf Kidron works on the ark in the new complex in Itamar.

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Photo credit: Zev Livni

Next week will mark the first anniversary of the terrorist attack that killed Ehud and Ruth Fogel and three of their children in their home 

A new study and prayer complex will be inaugurated on the first anniversary of their deaths.

One week from Wednesday, on the one-year anniversary of the murder of the Fogel family in the Samarian community of Itamar, a a new beit midrash (Jewish study and prayer complex) will be inaugurated in their memories.

Builders are putting the final touches on the building, to be called Mishkan Ehud, or Ehud Hall, in memory of the late Rabbi Ehud (Udi) Fogel, who was murdered in his home along with his wife Ruth and three of their children, Yoav, Elad and baby Hadas. The new building will become the permanent residence of the Itamar Yeshiva.

The decision to construct the complex was made during the shiva, or seven-day mourning period, for the family. Its purpose is to commemorate the family as well as strengthen the settlement enterprise.

Stonemason and artist Assaf Kidron is building an ark in the building’s main hall, using local stones and mortar made from earth from the Fogels’ garden. Kidron, a resident of Itamar, was the last person to see Ehud Fogel alive. Kidron initiated and led the project of constructing the holy ark from local stones. The ark will rise to a height of five meters, and is designed to be the most prominent feature of the beit midrash. During the inauguration event, a Torah scroll will be introduced to the ark. The scroll, contributed by a Brazilian businessman, will have its final letters ceremoniously inscribed on the one-year anniversary of the murder.

“I’ve had a strong a sense of mission planning and building this holy ark, because the entire world, which was shocked by the murder, will turn their eyes to Itamar on the anniversary of the murder to observe how the community is recovering,” said Kidron. “I feel we will emerge stronger.”

התקשורת דורשת: עונש מוות למחבלים

www.bhol.co.il

Sorry only in hebrew

עיתוני הבוקר בתקשורת הכללית מביאים סיקור נרחב מהלווית קדושי איתמר. הפרשנים וכותבי הטורים חידדו הבוקר את המקלדות בדרישה חריפה לקבוע עונש מוות למחבלים שביצעו את הפיגוע.

כך כותב איש התקשורת גיא מרוז: "צריך תקנות מיוחדות לשעת חירום, צריך שופט בעליון שיאשר, אלוהים יודע מה - אבל אסור שהאיש הזה עם גלוני הדם על הידיים יישב בכלא. יש יצורים, שלפעמים בטעות נראים כמו בני אדם, אבל הם לא והם לא חייבים לחיות לאורך זמן. לא תסכול מהכיבוש הוביל לרצח הזה, רק רוע צרוף ומעוות, זה הכל".

הפרשן בן כספית: "את רוצחי משפחת פוגל לא צריך ללכוד. אין טעם לתפוס אותם, ואסור, לעניות דעתי, 'להביאם לדין'. את היצורים שביצעו את המעשה החייתי הזה צריך לחסל. ההוראה לשירות הביטחון הכללי, לצה"ל ולכל מי שידו במלאכת הקודש הזו, צריכה להיות פשוטה: לאתר את הפושעים הללו ולהרוג אותם. במקום.

Itamar Israel, the heartland of G-d!

Take a tour of life on Itamar. See the ancient ruins, young people in love and babies being born. It's a beautiful world!

of blessed memory

"Unity of the Jewish nation was the most important thing to my parents." Tamar Fogel

השם ינקום דמם

An open letter to Tamar Fogel

An open letter sent to her by an non-Jewish, Irish author. It comes from his hearth.

from: israelmatzav.blogspot.com

Dear Tamar,

We have never met, nor are we likely to. I am not a Jew nor an Israeli, though for many years I have defended both Jews and Israelis from the physical and political attacks that are made on them. I live in England, though I'm Irish. The Irish used to be great enemies of the English, who did bad things to us, but who gave us their language, something in which we excel. But many years ago, long before you were born, the enmity between the Irish and the English faded. We are not the same people, but we no longer hate each other, and the English Queen will soon make her first visit to Ireland, in a gesture that the past is past, that we are now allies, not enemies.
The most important for you is to be sure that the only guilty parties were the terrorists who carried out the slaughter. And I need not tell you that these were not the first Palestinian terrorists to take out their hate, their resentment, and their jealousy on helpless Jews living on Jewish land.

עמיר בניון - התנערי - מוקדש לתמר פוגל

 לזכר הרוגי איתמר

את עייפה
אלפיים סיבות לבכות
את עצובה
אין שנת בצורת מדמעות
את מיואשת
כשאת מנסה רק לדבר
את משתתקת
כשאין לך אח,כשאין חבר..

would you call this a...rabbi?

"Rabbis for Human Rights" refuse to condemn the PA which praises the murderers of the Fogel Family

The organization "Rabbis for Human Rights’ knows exactly how to condemn the State of Israel and its authorities for any action against a Palestinian. Yet, when it comes to a letter which condemns the actions of the Palestinian Authority, the Rabbis for Human Rights would prefer not to be in conflict with Palestinian activists.

 
Not very rabbi-like.
Not very human-rights-like, either.
Rabbis for Human Rights is led by "Rabbi" Arik Asherman

Arrest Fogel Murderer's Mother

Hadas Fogel (z "l)

HY"D

The Rabbi of Itamar, Rav Natan Chai, called upon the IDF to arrest the mother and aunt of the murderer following their praise for the atrocity.

"A situation in which Israel allows the murderer to be praised encourages the next murderer," he said. "A state cannot allow incitement to murder its citizens. The Shin Bet and IDF must act and arrest the people who praise the murders." 

The teenage terrorist and his partner in the massacre, another young member of the Awad clan, are members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). They were assisted by at least six others, four of them from their family.

When children feel disconnected, this is a way to reconnect them

(Photo: Itamar Development Foundation)

Stern, a 31-year-old martial arts expert, started exploring the field when he was a child. By the age of seven he was already training in three different methods of the arts. When he joined the Marines his skills meant that in addition to serving in one of the US military's most prestigious units he was also training officers in Krav Maga.
At the end of four years of service in the Marines, Stern flew to Japan where he trained with a Ninjutsu master and received a 5th Dan black belt.
Encounters with a Marine Corps rabbi led Stern to return to his Jewish roots and become religious. Seven Years ago he made aliyah, and after spending time in Safed he moved to the settlement of Itamar in the Samaria.