71 7771"drmi i, emar Credit: Dina Kraft/JTA 1117 A fter water seeped its way into the main bath and kitchen of John and Kathleen Ranalli's Troy home, they were heedful in choosing a company to repair the damage. "The first thing you look for, naturally, is someone who is trustworthy," John said, noting that he was immediately reminded of a special newscast he saw on Fox 2 in December highlighting the home makeover Gittleman did free of charge for a young woman suffering from cancer. John said, although they explored other companies, in the end they decided Gittleman was right for them. It was that news segment that sealed the deal. We felt that they were honest and dependable." However, it was winter, and the Ranallis were still apprehensive at the thought of home repairs — people treading in and out of their house, the mess, the inconvenience. But they were pleasantly surprised with the Gittleman team and appreciated the fact that all the crew members were very conscientious of keeping their home intact. Sderot evacuees from Gaza rocket attacks sit with their children in Givat Olga near Hadera on Monday. The Arms Anxiety As much as the government is worried about the Kassams, it is even more concerned about the flow of arms through tunnels under the Philadelphi route along the border between Egypt and Gaza. Senior Israeli officers predict that unless something is done to stop the flow of weaponry into Gaza, Hamas as the main recipient will be able to field a formidable military machine within a year. Tons of arms, including anti-tank weapons, Grad ground-to- ground rockets, anti-aircraft missiles and high explosives are said to be pouring into Gaza on a daily basis. The Israeli military is concerned as well by increasing numbers of Hamas militiamen slipping across the border into Egypt and making their way to Iran for training. The Israel Defense Forces estimates that unless the arms flow is staunched, it won't be long before Hamas is able to strike at Israeli civilian targets as far away as Beersheba, 30 miles from Gaza. It is this buildup and the potential future threat that is leading people like Eiland to think in terms of a pre-emptive strike and/or other far-reaching moves that change the rules of the game. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is press- ing for the deployment of an interna- tional force on the Palestinian side of the border to stop the smuggling. In a break from Israel's traditional opposi- tion to any international presence in Palestinian territory, Livni envisages a force modeled along the lines of the 11,000-strong UNIFIL contin- gent patrolling the Lebanese border with Israel, with a similarly "robust" mandate to stop arms smuggling from Egypt into Gaza. In a mid-May meeting with foreign ambassadors in Jerusalem, Livni actually put the ball in the international community' court. "We are ready to consider such a force, but will you be ready to provide it?" she challenged the assembled dig- nitaries. Israeli officials acknowledge that getting the international commu- nity to intervene in this way will be a hard sell. But they maintain that if the community doesn't move to stop the arms smuggling, it won't be in a position to point fingers if and when Israel does. Much of the debate in Israel suggests impending escalation. But there are voices, including some in the Labor Party, saying that Israel ought to rethink its diplomatic boy- cott of Hamas and agree to talk to the radical organization. They argue that unilateral moves have proved a failure and President Mahmoud Abbas of the more moderate Fatah movement has shown he cannot deliver, whereas Hamas would be able to make a deal with Israel stick. What would there be to talk about? A long-term hudna, or cease-fire — 10 or even 20 years — in return for Israeli withdrawal from most of the West Bank and the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. With the Kassams still whistling across the border, however, that seems a long way away. 11 "Immediately when they got to the house, they prepped everything. They covered the floor and kept everything contained to just the affected areas, and every day the guys would clean up before they left," he said. "What we thought was going to be a painful experience really ended up being noninvasive." The project, which involved a complete bathroom remodeling and replacement of the kitchen ceiling, lasted three weeks from start to finish. And the Ranallis couldn't be happier with the way the process panned out. "They were here every day on time and the price they quoted never changed. They aim to please and they did not sign off on the final documents until they went through the place with a fine-toothed comb," John said. "We are pleased with the final result — the workmanship was great and everything is exactly what we hoped for." So when the time comes for you to choose a remodeling company to undo what mother nature has done, chose the one you can trust to come into your home and complete the task painlessly, on time and on budget. Choose Gittleman. JUST ASK THE RANALLIS. GITTLEMAN CONSTRUCTION inc 28580 ORCHARD LAKE RD., SUITE 102 FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334 248.538.5400 www.gittleman.net CUSTOM RENOVATIONS Answering Israel's Critics The Charge Last week, during Israel's celebra- tion of the 40th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, a critical International Red Cross report was leaked. It charged Israel with illegal occupation of Jerusalem and the illegal building of a barrier separat- ing Jewish and Arab neighborhoods. The Answer East Jerusalem is not occupied. Israel incorporated it into Israel following its reunification with the western side of the city in 1967 and established Israeli law there. The final status of Arab neighborhoods in the city will only be determined in peace negotiations between Israel and its Arab neighbors. - Allan Gale Jewish Community Relations Council ©Copyright May 24, 2007 Jewish Renaissance Media DURING THE MONTH OF MAY VOLVO IS WAIVING YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT ON ALL S60S! OVER 40 NEW 2007 S-60 VOLVOS IN STOCK DISCLAIMER *Not all lessees will qualify for US Bank Lease. Offered in the United States to qualified Volvo Loyal Customers, eli- gible for the Ford Motor A/Z plan through US Bank. Model payment based on 36-month closed-end lease for a new 2006 Volvo S60 2.5T with gross capitalized cost of $21,750. Acquisition fee: $595 First month's payment: $269. Excess mileage charge, $.18/mile over 18,000 miles/year and a $395 disposition fee. Taxes, title and registration fees extra. Not all lessees will qualify for US Bank Lease. See Dwyer & Sons Volvo for complete details. Program good through 5-31-07. Lease program of model shown must be disclosed. ©2005 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. Always remember to wear your seat belt. DWYER AND n. SONSZ,711,W) (248) 624-0400 Volvosales@dwyerandsons.com www.dwyerandsons.com 14 Mile Road ■ On Maple Rd. West of Haggerty 1/2 Mile E. of M-5, 4 Miles N. of 1-96 OPEN SATURDAYS May 24 • 2007 31