October 27, 2011- Grapel Arrives in Israel, Grad Lands Near Asdod, Protest Movement Resumes

Ilan Grapel arrived back in Israel today, after 4 months of Egyptian captivity. Egyptians, for their part, treated their returning drug smugglers as if they were "national heroes", and their military government played up the trade for all it was worth. The Egyptian regime is facing immediate challenges, as the military tries to cling to power. Opponents rightly claim that this is what happened all the way back in 1952, when the generals led a revolt against King Farouk, in the name of democracy, and have effectively held on to power ever since.

A lone Grad missile fell last night near Ashdod. No organization took responsibility, and it is is believed that this is not the beginning of a new round of fighting.

Israel's Social Protest Movement is returning to the streets this Saturday night, after a nearly two month hiatus We will see if the movement can continue to mobilize the public, or if the government has taken the winds out of its sails, by much talk and very little action. I hope to write a special update Saturday night after taking part in the Tel Aviv rally.