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EUROPE HOLDS SOLIDARITY RALLY FOR KIDNAPPED SOLDIERS
Posted by Nurit Greenger, November 30, 2006. | ||
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This comes from
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Yesterday, around 5000 people gathered together outside the European Parliament to take part in a solidarity rally for the kidnapped IDF soldiers. Family and friends of Guilad Schilat, Udi Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were present and were meeting European Union parliament members prior to the demonstration. The families were asking the European Governement and their parliamentarians to use their influence in the Middle East and demand a sign of life from the captured soldiers, in exchange for aid to the Palestinian Authority and Lebanon. N Green commented on this:
Contact Nurit Greenger at 4nuritg@bca.rr.com |
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WATCH IT ISRAEL -- JIM BAKER'S TARGETTED YOU TO BE HIS SCAPEGOAT AGAIN
Posted by Nurit Greenger, November 30, 2006. |
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The Left wing of America with 80% radical Left media now dominates America; it undermines American and wants us to lose in Iraq, to lose to radical Islam! Nothing to say as we are our own worst enemy! With nukes, the oil producing countries become an Iranian sphere of influence and Jim Baker will cut such a deal in a heartbeat and Bush will go along because, as former Israel PM Bibi Netanyahu said, "it is 1938 (all over again) and Iran is Germany." Baker believing that Iran can give the USA assurances it won't develop nuclear weapons is as worthless assurances as all its other assurances! The USA can only get Iran's help on Iraq if we let Tehran get the bomb! The flip-flopping of America led by Bush and now assisted by Baker and his cadre of the not so round table and the cowardice free world is our demise in front of our eyes! We shall see what transpires, more so, if Israel can stand on its two STRONG feet and defeat Baker's plan! This article was written by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann and it appeared in Jewish World Review. It is called "Can Iran help us bail out of Iraq? Maybe -- but we'd better take a hard look at the price." |
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The idea has reportedly been floated via a draft report to the Iraq Study Group (headed by former Secretary of State James Baker), which calls for a "dialogue" with Iran as well as Syria. Along the same lines, British Prime Minister Tony Blair recently said Iran could be a "partner" with the West if it did not develop a bomb. Presumably, we'd ask Iran to help stabilize the situation in Iraq, curb the Shiite militias and encourage the Iraqi government to make sufficient concessions to the Sunnis to end or at least reduce the violence. Would it work? It could. Iran certainly has sought to arm and enflame the Shiites in Iraq. Maybe the mullahs can rein in their proxies, and let us withdraw in dignity -- not holding onto the skids of the helicopter as it lifts off our embassy this time. But why would they play ball with Washington at the same time that Bush is threatening sanctions explicitly and a military strike implicitly if Iran proceeds to develop nuclear weapons? No chance. So this proposal amounts to the de facto abandonment of any military or economic actions that could deter Iran from going nuclear. Of course, Baker may seek and Iran may offer public assurances that it won't develop nuclear weapons -- the same worthless assurances it now passes out to the entire world. What will have changed is that America and Britain will be so engaged with Iran that they can't and won't bomb or even impose tough sanctions. In short, we can only get Iran's help on Iraq if we let Tehran get the bomb. Yet, with nukes, Iran gains the leverage to force Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and all the region's oil producers to move in its orbit. The Middle East will become an Iranian sphere of influence. Such an under-the-table deal would amount to a total sellout of Israel and Saudi Arabia and America's other Arab allies. The Jewish state would be left with no alternative but to take whatever military action it could to stop Iran from completing its nuclear program. American capitulation will have left it with no alternative. Would Jim Baker cut such a deal? In a heartbeat. Never a friend of Israel, he wouldn't flinch at a realpolitik solution giving Iran power throughout the region. But why would Bush go along? It would be "peace in our time" -- Munich, 1938 -- all over again. Contact Nurit Greenger at 4nuritg@bca.rr.com |
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PLO IS PROUD OF BEING SOURCE OF INTERNATIONAL TERROR
Posted by Palestinian Media Watch, November 30, 2006. |
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As the world recoils from international terror, the PLO takes pride in the fact that it has been the source of world terror, and that terrorists around the world have copied their tactics and techniques. It has already been noted by terror analysts that much of world terror was started by the Palestinian terrorists, and then copied by other terrorists in their own countries for their own purposes. Whereas the world views this with contempt, the PLO's Fatah faction acknowledges this and even takes pride in it. The Secretary of Fatah in Gaza, Ahmed Hales Abu Maher, expressed pride on Palestinian TV that the Fatah "gives daily examples" that the world has "imitated," from the participation of children in combat to the widespread use of suicide terror, all of which started with the Fatah-PLO. The following is the statement on PA TV by Ahmed Hales Abu Maher, Secretary of Fatah in Gaza: "Oh warrior brothers, this is a nation that will never be broken, it is a revolution that will never be defeated. This is a nation that gives an example every day that is imitated across the world. We gave the world the children of the RPG [Rocket Propelled Grenades], we gave the world the children stone [-throwers], and we gave the world the male and female Martyrdom-Seekers [suicide bombers]." [Palestinian Authority TV, November 14, 2006] Itamar Marcus is director of PMW -- Palestinian Media Watch - (http://www.pmw.org.il). PMW is based in Jerusalem. Barbara Crook, a writer and university lecturer based in Ottawa, Canada, is PMW's North American representative. |
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STANLEY GOLDFOOT: A JEWISH HERO IN OUR TIME
Posted by Ruth Matar, November 30, 2006. | |
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Dear Friends, In the Jewish Passover Haggadah, it is written: "And it is the same promise which helped our fathers and which aided us. For not only one tyrant has risen against us to destroy us, but in every generation wicked men have risen against us to destroy us. But the Holy One, Blessed be He, delivers us from their hands." Also, in every generation, there were Jewish heroes with vision who were willing to sacrifice everything, even their very lives, in order to preserve G-d's promise to the Jewish people. One such hero in our generation is Stanley Goldfoot. During his lifetime, Stanley witnessed the rise of tyrants such as Hitler and Ahmadinijad, who are bent on destroying the Jewish people. Sadly, our friend Stanley passed away last week, November 24, 2006, at the age of 92. His family and all his many friends not only mourn his passing, but remember with gratitude his love and devotion for Israel and the Jewish people. Stanley Goldfoot was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. At the age of 18 he heard a speech about the Zionist vision by Ze'ev Jabotinsky, which appealed very strongly to him. It was all he needed to hear before packing a bag, leaving a shocked family and heading for Palestine. He joined a HaShomer HaTzair kibbutz, picking eggplants in the fields, and making floor tiles, "balatot". Since he arrived alone, without an entry permit, the British police soon shipped him out of the country together with another South African. In South Africa, he was drafted into the South African Army, where he learned to handle a rifle. Stanley joined the Revisionist Party (another name for Lehi). At first opportunity, he returned to Tel Aviv to open the first "School of English" which gave him entry into the British High Society where he was privy to important information from the top echelon of the British Army. He was now able to pass this invaluable information on to other Lehi members. Stanley Goldfoot did this with alacrity, under cover of legitimately representing English and French news. His valuable "press cards" gained him admittance everywhere! He was active in many other activities against the British Mandatory Power, while working in Jerusalem as a respected journalist. Some of those activities were so sensitive that they were never made public. After the rebirth of the Jewish State of Israel, he made aliyah legally in 1956. His main goal became his desire to establish a Zionist English newspaper "The Times of Israel", which eventually appeared on the streets of Israel, New York and the West Coast of the USA. For this purpose, he even spent a year in New York to raise funds to promote his newspaper. In the first issue of the "Times of Israel", Stanley Goldfoot wrote his famous controversial "Letter to the World from Jerusalem", which at the time, caused a huge stir. His article is still relevant, and I am therefore, including it in this Letter from Jerusalem.
Stanley's wife Helen was a real trooper and diligently worked alongside of him throughout their married life to make all his endeavors a success. Stanley and Helen have been active members of Women for Israel's Tomorrow (Women in Green) since its inception in 1993. Both of them have been a great inspiration to the efforts of our organization to educate the younger generation about the values and traditions of the Jewish people in our promised Land. All the Women in Green will always remember Stanley Goldfoot with love and gratitude. His memory is a blessing, not just for us, but for the entire Jewish people. With Blessings and Love for Israel, Ruth Matar P.S. Any messages for Helen Goldfoot can be sent to our email address, mailto:michaele@netvision.net.il Attn: Helen Goldfoot. I will be pleased to pass them on to her. P.P.S. I want to remind my readers that former Prime Minister
Yitzchak Shamir was an active member of Stanley Goldfoot's group,
Lehi. Also, Israel Eldad, father of Knesset Member Aryeh Eldad, was an
active member as well. Another important Lehi member is Ezra Yakhin,
author of "Elnakam", Story of a Freedom Fighter, who lost an eye in
the battle for Jerusalem. If you are interested in buying this book,
get in touch with me.
Ruth and Nadia Matar established Women For Israel's Tomorrow
(Women in Green), an activist group of women based in Jerusalem. Their
website address is http://www.womeningreen.org
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45,000 ILLEGAL ALIENS RELEASED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN TO OUR POPULATION
Posted by David Meir-Levi, November 30, 2006. |
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Dear Mr. President, I got a lot of flack three years ago when I first published my article on the invasion of the USA by thoussands of Arab and Iranian illegals via the Mexican border, disguised as south american hispanics. I asserted that Arabs and Iranians, who could othewise enter our country legally, are doing so illegally because they have some nefarious purpose in mind. Some of my email recipients thought it was highly insensitive of me to ascribe evil motives to Arabs and Iranains who snuck in to our country merely to find a better life for themselves and their families. Then the NY Times and a few other papers published articles mentioning the same facts, and expressing concern that some could be terrorits. I got even more flack when I sent out emails saying that up to 5000 Arab and Iranian illegal aliens had entered the USA mostly via Mexico over the past few years and were sheltered in the broader Muslim community. The flack was because I asserted that Arab and Iranian illegals are entering illegally because they want to keep their presence under our immigration radar so they cannot be tracked once in the USA. They want that because they are here to carry out acts of terror. My critics felt I must be vastly exagerating. 5000!? Now we learn from reports summed up in the article below, that we have about 45,000 illegal aliens released into our population over the past 5 years. Among those released are at least some of the Arab and Iranian illegals who were picked up by border patrols and INS forces. They snuck in to do us harm. They got caught. Now they are back out into our population, untraceable, undocumented, and free to do us harm. Add that number to the many many more who are not caught but succeed in getting in to our country clandestinely....and 5000 terrorists among us is not an unbelievable number. Mr. President, when are you going to clamp down on the phenomenon of illegal aliens entering our country to do us harm? When one of them blows up Chicago with a suitcase bomb? This article appeared yesterday on World Net Daily (www.wnd.com).
It is archived at |
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WASHINGTON -- Half of the 91,516 illegal aliens from terror-sponsoring countries and those of "special interest" apprehended at the border between 2001 and 2005 were released into the U.S. population, according to a report by the inspector general's office of the Department of Homeland Security. The report, "Detention and Removal of Illegal Aliens," released earlier this year with little fanfare or attention, suggests about 85 percent of those aliens -- potentially the most dangerous -- would abscond and likely never be seen by authorities again. Acknowledging the danger such aliens pose to the national security, the report cites a DHS official testifying that terrorist organizations "believe illegal entry into the U.S. is more advantageous than legal entry for operations reasons." Budget shortfalls were the explanations for why some 45,008 potential terrorists were released by authorities over a period of nearly five years after Sept. 11, 2001. The budget crunches prompted immigration officials to place strict limits on detention bed space, recruitment, training, travel and expansion of enforcement programs, the report explained. In addition to the release of these high-risk aliens, 27,947 known criminals were also released between 2001 and 2004 -- including 20, 967 "from countries where the notorious Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang members are know to be active." Given that only one in four aliens attempting to enter the U.S. during this period was caught, that would suggest some 350,000 from high-risk nations entered the country through this five-year period. An additional 400,000 criminal aliens would also have made it into the country between 2001 and 2004, according to the report. That's a total of 750,000 aliens who would be either known criminals before entering the country illegally or who originated from a terror-sponsoring nation or one in which terrorists are known to operate. This news hits following WND's report yesterday that 12 Americans are murdered every day by illegal aliens, according to statistics released by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. If those numbers are correct, it translates to 4,380 Americans murdered annually by illegal aliens. That's 21,900 since Sept. 11, 2001. But the carnage wrought by illegal alien murderers represents only a fraction of the pool of blood spilled by American citizens as a result of an open border and un-enforced immigration laws. While King reports 12 Americans are murdered daily by illegal aliens, he says 13 are killed by drunk illegal alien drivers -- for another annual death toll of 4,745. That's 23,725 since Sept. 11, 2001. While no one -- in or out of government -- tracks all U.S. accidents caused by illegal aliens, the statistical and anecdotal evidence suggests many of last year's 42,636 road deaths involved illegal aliens. A report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Study found 20 percent of fatal accidents involve at least one driver who lacks a valid license. In California, another study showed that those who have never held a valid license are about five times more likely to be involved in a fatal road accident than licensed drivers. Statistically, that makes them an even greater danger on the road than drivers whose licenses have been suspended or revoked -- and nearly as dangerous as drunk drivers. King also reports eight American children are victims of sexual abuse by illegal aliens every day -- a total of 2,920 annually. Based on a one-year in-depth study, Deborah Schurman-Kauflin of the Violent Crimes Institute of Atlanta estimates there are about 240,000 illegal immigrant sex offenders in the United States who have had an average of four victims each. She analyzed 1,500 cases from January 1999 through April 2006 that included serial rapes, serial murders, sexual homicides and child molestation committed by illegal immigrants. As the number of illegal aliens in the U.S. increases, so does the number of American victims. According to Edwin Rubenstien, president of ESR Research Economic Consultants, in Indianapolis in 1980, federal and state correctional facilities held fewer than 9,000 criminal aliens. But at the end of 2003, approximately 267,000 illegal aliens were incarcerated in all U.S. jails and prisons. While the federal government doesn't track illegal alien murders, illegal alien rapes or illegal alien drunk driving deaths, it has studied illegal aliens incarcerated in U.S. prisons. In April 2005, the Government Accountability Office released a report on a study of 55,322 illegal aliens incarcerated in federal, state, and local facilities during 2003. It found the following: The 55,322 illegal aliens studied represented a total of 459,614 arrests -- some eight arrests per illegal alien; Their arrests represented a total of about 700,000 criminal offenses -- some 13 offenses per illegal alien; 36 percent had been arrested at least five times before. "While the vast majority of illegal aliens are decent people who work hard and are only trying to make a better life for themselves and their families, (something you or I would probably do if we were in their place), it is also a fact that a disproportionately high percentage of illegal aliens are criminals and sexual predators," states Peter Wagner, author of a new report called "The Dark Side of Illegal Immigration." "That is part of the dark side of illegal immigration and when we allow the 'good' in we get the 'bad' along with them. The question is, how much 'bad' is acceptable and at what price?" But the terror threat posed by illegal aliens could make all those grisly numbers pale by comparison should a few succeed in conducting major operations in the U.S., say law enforcement officials. David Meir-Levi is an American-born Israeli, currently living in Palo Alto. His expertise is in Near Eastern studies and the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. He is Director of Peace and Education at Israel Peace Initiative (www.ipi-usa.org). Contact him at david_meirlevi@hotmail.com |
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LAW VS. MORALS; CULTURAL DIFFERENCE ARABS VS. JEWS; ARAB "HUMAN RIGHTS"
Posted by Richard H. Shulman, November 30, 2006. |
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FAILURE OF EUROPEAN MEDIA European media and parliaments condemn Israel as unfair to the Arabs (who are fair to nobody). Their media hardly reports Hizbullah for being a proxy for genocide, for waging terrorist war against Israel, and for using its own civilians as human shields. Lebanese admit that Hizbullah social work is to build schools atop arms depots. If Israel spares the schools, Hizbullah fires rockets into Israeli cities. If Israel destroys the depots, Europe denounces Israel for bombing schools. Either way, Israel is blamed, although Hizbullah carries out war crimes that gets its own civilians killed. The European media is unfair. When Israel warned the civilians to leave Qana, from which 150 rockets had been fired at Israel, Europeans did not reinforce the warning. When Israel attacked that source of terrorism, and civilians were killed, Europeans called it a massacre, as if Israel intended to kill civilians and were not defending itself. European parliamentarians call for isolating Israel rather than the terrorists. As part of Europe's willful blindness, the chief EU envoy claims that Syria will rein in Hizbullah. (Actually, Syria is rearming it.) France claimed it wanted Hizbullah disarmed. But it called for a ceasefire that kept Israel from disarming it, and sent too few troops and without a mandate to disarm Hizbullah. France is insincere (Jewish Political Chronicle, 9/2006, p.47 from Daniel Schwammanthal, Wall. St. J., 8/7). Europe should be more concerned about surviving its own, rising Muslims populations. BRITISH ACADEMIA & CINEMA STILL PURSUING BOYCOTT Although official attempts to boycott Israeli academia, to force Israel to obey UNO resolutions and to stop "occupying" Arab land failed, unofficial attempts continue. Certain British institutions won't sell books or buy articles from Israeli institutions or authors or attend an Israeli film festival (Arutz-7, 11/12). Ironically, boycotted Israeli filmmakers and academics generally are anti-Zionist. The UNO usually makes unfair or unworkable resolutions. Israel accepts and the Arabs usually defy the mandated resolutions. Israel does not occupy Arab land, but the Arabs try to take over Israel. British academics don't let those facts get in the way of their prejudices. Neither do their media. LAW VS. MORALS "...a student's having a 'right' to wear the costume of a suicide bomber" is "the wrong point," like having "the 'right' to make a film ridiculing people with handicaps. "...it's not a matter of law; it's a matter of the tenor of a society in which civilized people wish to liveÄour society is increasingly defined by laws and politics rather than by an understanding of the pre-political, sub-legal morals and mores that promote virtuous behavior and good citizenship." (Prof. Steven Plaut, 11/12.) ISRAEL LEADS THE WAY IN SHALE REFINING Oil-bearing shale is a source of energy that could give some countries energy-independence. Problem was that one had to squeeze the oil out of the rock at high pressure and temperature. That took too much energy to extract. Israeli ingenuity has solved that problem, involving a lower temperature, less waste, more flexibility in output, and less refining. Israel has patents, and is a year ahead of other countries in preparing for production of natural gas, electricity, or liquid fuel from shale. Israel would reduce oil imports by a third. Israel's shale is of poor quality. "The company estimates it will consume 6 million tons of oil shale and 2 million tons of refinery waste each year, for an annual production of 3 million tons of product." Israel's projected cost of $17 per barrel compares with crude oil prices of $47 -- $60 per barrel or more. Profits therefore would be high, and Israel has 15 billion tons of shale (IMRA, 11/11. They should have compared the $17 cost with the costs of oil production. ISLAM ALREADY OPPRESSING EUROPE Even though Western European governments are not Islamic, Islam already is repressing the Europeans. Native Europeans who speak out against the separatism that fosters the hate-mongering and rioting get threatened and go into hiding in their own countries, leaving the Muslims triumphant. A German lawyer, herself of Turkish descent, had opposed forced marriages, honor killings, and beatings of Muslim women and girls (you know, what Pres. Bush called fine Muslim family values). She said that terrorism will be committed by third-generation Muslim immigrants and their children who, "under the eyes of well-meaning politicians have been raised to hate Western society from birth." She requires police protection, as do others. It is a decline in democracy (Jewish Political Chronicle, 9/2006, p.47 from Wall St. J., Europe, Ed., 9/6). Traditional Europe lacks the free speech with which to defend its rights and culture, while the Muslims are protected by political correctness and multiculturalism. ARABS REBEL IN KNESSET The new Deputy Defense Minister explained why the IDF fired at a site in Beit Hanoun -- it was used as for launching rockets at Israel. Why were some other Arabs killed by Israeli artillery? Misfire, but the basic responsibility was by the Arabs for committing terrorism. Deputy Defense Min. Sneh told an objecting Arab MK to take his moral preaching about it to the terrorists who bear moral responsibility for the casualties. After all, Israel had completely withdrawn from Gaza. But the terrorists attack the crossing points, and then, when Israel closes them to stop the attacks, complain of food shortage. One Arab MK, interrupting and screaming, had to be removed. Another started screaming, too. He also was sarcastic, missing obvious points that Sneh explained again. The Arabs accused Israel of deliberate massacre. Sneh said that with Israel, it is accidental, but with the Arabs it was intentional and deliberate, that's the cultural difference between the two peoples (Arutz-7, 11/14). I find Sneh too leftist, but he handled the Arab MKs well, upholding Israel's side. THE PATTERN WITH POLLARD Whenever momentum has built for Pollard to gain clemency, the same old, refuted lies are circulated about him. This time, as Israelis have become solidly in favor of clemency, an Israeli TV channel broadcast the usual propaganda against him (Arutz-7, 11/13). Since the TV reporters have access to the story, they should refute the lies, not reiterate them. This is a conspiracy to keep Pollard incarcerated. ARAB CHARTER ON HUMAN RIGHTS IMRA, 11/13, published a translation of the Arab Charter on Human Rights. Aside from calling Zionism (rather than jihad) evil, it was full of high-sounding principles. It also was full of exceptions. There were exceptions "according to law" or as |necessary to maintain order." There were qualifications, as for women's rights as defined "under Islamic law" (that subordinates women). The Arabs have issued a document of principles, whose exceptions cancel out the principles (just as in their "peace plans.") The Charter pledges freedom of the press, that most Arab states lack. The Charter is to impress outsiders. ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER PRAISES HIMSELF In the wake of Israel's relatively poor showing in Lebanon, though Hizbullah did not defeat it, and it was grinding down Hizbullah, Israelis demand that the new and militarily inexperienced Defense Minister resign. Defense Min. Peretz said that when the issue is examined, he will be shown to have made a major contribution to Israel's effort. He also praised the moral tone of the IDF:"I visited Gaza, and one of the soldiers there told me that in the middle of a battle he saw a terrorist with an RPG and a child standing in front of him. He tells me, 'I didn't shoot because I was afraid to hurt the child, but I knew I will meet the terrorist.'" What would that moral soldier tell the parents of a soldier killed by the terrorist? "It should be noted that Mr. Peretz made a very important 'contribution' as Defense Minister before the war: his repeated empty threats to take action in Gaza against the Qassam attacks sent a clear message that Israel wasn't serious about responding to attacks." (IMRA, 11/13.) That stated criticism is fair enough. Peretz shouldn't be blamed, however, for military lack of preparedness, which took years to unfold. He should be asked whether he inquired how ready the Army was. In my first assignment as a systems analyst, I was asked to go to a factory and give the "go-ahead" to start a new shipping system that I had nothing to do with and was not trained to check. I asked the factory supervisors whether they had procedures in place and whether their staff was ready for the changeover. The supervisors said no. I called my Vice-President back at the home office to tell him I had called the change off, for a couple of weeks. He started to lose his temper. I quieted him down by telling him that if the new procedure failed to ship the goods, he would lose customers. When the factory was ready, the system worked. IDF ASSESSING EFFECT OF ENEMIES HAVING U.S. WEAPONS Equipped with the same US weapons as Israel, Egypt and Jordan narrow Israel's military "edge." The IDF is assessing the danger (IMRA, 11/14). What about EU forces in UNIFIL? Richard Shulman is a veteran defender of Israel on several web-based forums. His comments and analyses appear often on Think-Israel. He provides cool information and right-on-target overviews. He distributes his essays by email. To subscribe, write him at richardshulman5@aol.com. |
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IMPORTANT ANTI-SEMITISM ALERT RE: FRANCE
Posted by Mordechai ben-Menachem, November 30, 2006. |
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Recent reports out of the Jewish Community in France are sounding very ominous. The Jewish people in France have had a long history, and events of the past few years have created an atmosphere of fear and danger for the 600,000 Jewish citizens who continue to reside there. In a pattern that is reproducing itself throughout Europe and in some cases beyond Europe, France's Muslim populations are growing exponentially, (now estimated to number 5 to 6 million) and the younger members of the Muslim population are acting to promote extremism and anti-Semitism. "Nowhere have the flames of anti-Semitism burned more furiously than in France" declared one member of the French Jewish Community anxiously in an e-mail he circulated amongst his peers, trying to raise awareness and take more of a proactive stance in combating the alarming trend. Here are a few examples of some of the most recent occurrences that have created such uneasiness for our Jewish brethren living in France: * In Lyon, a car was rammed into the Synagogue and set on fire. Help us to send a message about the unacceptability that we feel towards the inactions or lack of sufficient actions by the French Government to protect its Jewish citizens from being terrorized by these hate mongers and criminals. This is a serious problem that is spreading worldwide, so please help fight back and make a statement by spreading this message to those you feel need to be informed of the problem and the above listing of companies. Following is a list of French Owned Companies and their products and services, and we are at this time calling upon the readership and all who share our values to boycott these brands. * Air France Mordechai Ben-Menachem is at Ben-Gurion University. He can be reached by email at quality@computer.org |
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ZOA CONDEMNS JIMMY CARTER'S ANTI-ISRAEL BOOK AS INACCURATE, SHALLOW & VICIOUS
Posted by ZOA, November 30, 2006. |
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The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has condemned former President Jimmy Carter's latest book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid as inaccurate, shallow and vicious. The book is but the latest in decades of attacks upon Israel by the former President. Examples of Carter's distortions, inaccuracies and hostility in this book include: Carter: "The overriding problem is that for more than a quarter of a century, the actions of some Israeli leaders have been in direct conflict the official positions of the United States, the international community, and their own negotiated agreements. ... Israel's continued control and colonization of Palestinian land have been the primary obstacles to a comprehensive peace agreement in the Holy Land." Fact: Judea and Samaria are historically, legally and religiously Jewish land and form part of territory originally earmarked for a Jewish state by the League of Nations. There has never been a Palestinian Arab state in these areas, despite offers to establish one in 1937, 1948 and 2000 and Israel won Judea and Samaria in the 1967 war of self-defense. This land was no-one's sovereign territory and had been illegally occupied and annexed by Jordan in 1948. When under Arab control, no Palestinian state was set up there. Jews have more right to live in Judea and Samaria than any other people. Carter: Palestinian Arabs have long supported a two-state solution and the Israelis have always opposed it. Fact: The 1937 Peel Commission partition plan, the 1947 UN partition plan and the 2000 peace plan all proposed a Palestinian state alongside a Jewish state. Palestinians rejected all three. Carter: In 1967 Israel launched a preemptive attack against Jordan. Fact: Jordan commenced hostilities against Israel by shelling Jerusalem and opening fire on Israeli lines, despite Israeli calls for Jordan not to intervene in the Israeli-Egyptian fighting. Israel then counter-attacked and captured east Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. Carter: UN Security Council Resolution (UNSC) 242 calls for Israel to withdraw from all the territories conquered by Israel in the 1967 war. Fact: UNSC 242 does not call for immediate, total and unconditional withdrawal by Israel. Rather, it calls for Israel to withdraw "from territories occupied" (not "the territories") to "secure and recognized boundaries" produced by negotiation with the Arab belligerents of that war. Carter: Arab-Jewish violence began when "Jewish militants" attacked Arabs in 1939. Fact: Arabs launched attacks upon unarmed Jews in 1920, 1921, 1929 and 1936-39, murdering hundreds of Jewish civilians long before Jewish armed units were formed to defend themselves. Carter: Blames Israel while exonerating Arafat, for the Palestinian refusal to accept a Palestinian state as provided for in the 2000 Barak-Clinton peace proposals. Fact: Arafat rejected these proposals and made no counter-offer according to Clinton and chief U.S. negotiator Dennis Ross. Instead, Arafat launched a terror war against Israel that still endures. Clinton said in his memoirs that Arafat's rejection made his Middle East policy a big failure. These proposals, contrary to what Arafat said and Carter chooses to believe, would have resulted in a fully contiguous Palestinian state on more than 95% of Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Carter: Confessions extracted through torture are admissible in Israeli courts. Fact: The Israel Supreme Court has explicitly outlawed the use of torture to even extract information of impending terror attacks, let alone confessions. Carter: Israel is to blame for the "exodus of Christians from the Holy Land." Fact: The Christian population of Jerusalem and other cities controlled by Jordan dropped steeply under Jordanian rule (1948-67) and is doing so again under Arafat's PA (1994 onwards), but did not under Israel rule. 70% of east Jerusalem's Christians left during Jordanian rule and since Arafat's PA took over Bethlehem in 1994, most of its Christians have left as well. Some important facts omitted from Carter's book: * The long history of Palestinian and Arab-state sponsored terrorism against Israel before 1967. Critical commentary of the Carter book: * Alan Dershowitz, Harvard Law Professor: "Whatever Mr. Carter's motives may be, his authorship of this, a historical, one-sided, and simplistic brief against Israel forever disqualifies him from playing any positive role in fairly resolving the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians" ( New York Sun, November 22). ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said, "Jimmy Carter's inaccurate, shallow and vicious book is unfortunately what we have come to expect from this most mediocre of modern presidents. The book is not only riddled with factual errors and distortions fully in keeping with Carter's long-standing bias against Israel and preference for neighboring Arab dictatorships, but even manages to malign Israel in its title, as Israel is a democracy that extends full civil rights to its non-Jewish citizens, not a minority, racist regime that like apartheid South Africa. The title seems to have been maliciously chosen to harm Israel's reputation in the minds of anyone who merely sees the book's cover, because even Carter admits in the book that the situation in Israel 'is unlike that in South Africa.' The Zionist Organization of America (www.zoa.org), founded in 1897, is the oldest pro-Israel organization in the United States. The ZOA works to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations, educates the American public and Congress about the dangers that Israel faces, and combats anti-Israel bias in the media and on college campuses. Its past presidents have included Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis and Rabbi Dr. Abba Hillel Silver. |
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WHICH IS THE REAL OLMERT?
Posted by Israel Zwick, November 30, 2006. |
| An interchange between Zwick and Reify of the reify.blog. |
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Dear Fred:
The biggest enemy of the State of Israel is not Iran, Hezbollah, or Hamas. It is the group of secular left-wing Israelis who have no attachment to the history and culture of the Jewish people in our ancient homeland. They keep writing about the "poor, oppressed Palestinians who are suffering from the harsh Israeli occupation." They claim that if the Palestinian Arabs had their own independent micro-state carved out of Israel then they would have no reason to continue their "resistance" and there would be peace and tranquility for both Arabs and Jews. Some of these secular Jewish writers even favor the concept of establishing one united state for Arabs and Jews where there would be equal rights for all based on demography and democracy. That is more of a threat to the Jewish State than Iran's nuclear weapons. It would mean the end of the blue and white flag, the end of Hatikvah as the national anthem, the end of streets with Jewish names, the end of Jewish national holidays, and most important, the end of religious freedom for Jews in the Middle East. The Jews now living in Israel would meet the same fate as the Jews who have lived in Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. Most have had to leave, and the few remaining there are in fear for their lives. Israeli Jews would have to seek safe haven in isolated communities in Montana or Wyoming. Perhaps they would return to Germany or Poland, which are now eager to reestablish Jewish communities. I don't claim to understand Ehud Olmert's strategy and, like you, I am deeply troubled by the recent ominous developments in Israel. I'm assuming that Olmert is following the strategy of Ehud Barak in July, 2000 when he offered Arafat 95% of what he wanted but Arafat still refused to end the conflict or relinquish the |right of return." Perhaps, Olmert needs to show the opposition that Israel is willing to make major sacrifices to achieve a real peace but the Arabs will accept nothing less than the dissolution of the Jewish State and expulsion of Jews from their historical homeland. If my assumption is wrong and you're right, then the Jewish people are in for some very difficult times, and we can only pray that "Hashem oz l'amo yiten, Hashem y'vorech es amo basholom." Kol tuv
Israel Zwick is Managing Editor, www.cnpublications.net.
Contaact him at israel.zwick@earthlink.net |
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U.S. PRESSURED ISRAEL TO HALT MISSILE STRIKES ON PALESTINIANS
Posted by David Bedein, November 30, 2006. |
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Jerusalem - It can now be confirmed that Israel's failure to respond to Palestinian missile attacks on Israel's western Negev region was the result of pressure placed on the Israeli government by the Bush administration. The pressure succeeded only days before Israeli armed forces were to launch an incursion into Gaza, following more than 1200 missile attacks emanating from that area in a little more than 14 months. An Israeli government official told the Middle East News Line that the White House and State Department demanded that Prime Minister Olmert suspend all operations in, and withdraw from, the Gaza Strip in exchange for a Palestinian Authority agreement to a cease-fire. The visit by President George W. Bush to Jordan yesterday, where he met with Jordanian leaders, was the primary factor for this pressure. "Olmert was first told of the cease-fire proposal when he came to Washington earlier this month," the official said. "Last week, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called Olmert and said she expected an end to Israeli military operations." U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Elliott Abrams is expected to meet Abbas in Amman. Officials said Abrams would then issue a recommendation regarding the feasibility of a meeting between Bush and Abbas. They said the U.S. president was not expected to meet Olmert. The cease-fire, which the PA was to produce in exchange for Israel's agreement to refrain from taking defensive action, has already failed. Palestinian gunners have fired Kassam-class, short-range missiles from the northern Gaza Strip into Israel earlier in the week. "The cease-fire is still very fresh," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said on Monday. "We hope that those security forces, as they get in place, would stop any such rocket attacks or any terrorist attacks that might be emanating from Gaza." McCormack said the United States would seek to extend the cease-fire to the West Bank. But he said this depended on an effective cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. The State Department has also pressed Israel to ease restrictions on Palestinian travel and offer to free Palestinian convicts. The Department expressed satisfaction with Olmert's speech on Monday that offered Israel's withdrawal from large portions of Judea and Samaria on the west bank of the Jordan River in exchange for peace with the Palestinians. Olmert also expressed readiness to release a large number of Palestinian convicts in the context of a real peace agreement. The official said Rice spoke to leaders in Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to persuade Hamas to accept the cease-fire as the first step toward a U.S. peace initiative. Apart from Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been leading financiers of Hamas. Both Egypt and Qatar have invited the Hamas leader, now the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya for a state visit. Rice has been in nearly daily contact with Israeli leaders to ensure that the military refrains from operations in the Gaza Strip, officials said. On Monday, they said, the U.S. secretary discussed the ceasefire with Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz. "Condi plans to arrange to meet Olmert and Abbas and seeks to reinforce the ceasefire and discuss the next step," the official said. David Bedein is Bureau Chief, Israel Resource News Agency.
(http://Israelbehindthenews.com). He is president of
Center for Near East Policy Research.
Contact him by email at media@actcom.co.il
This article appeared in the Evening Bulletin
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MISUSE OF ISRAELI CAMPUSES; HONORING BIN LADEN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA
Posted by Steven Plaut, November 30, 2006. |
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In Haaretz (and maybe other papers) today, there is debate about several "privatized degrees" that operate at Tel Aviv University. These are degrees in business and law that are conducted on campus for high tuition, not directly budgeted by the Israeli government budget and planning committee for higher education (VATAT). The head of VATAT, Prof. Shlomo Grossman, is quoted in the paper today as saying that even though these programs are not directed funded by VATAT, they operate on Israeli campuses, which are paid for by the taxpayer, and so require VATAT permission and approval. That is very interesting, but the fact of the matter is that for the past few years the campus of Tel Aviv University and some other universities have been misused by allowing the "Socioeconomic College" programs to operate on campus grounds. The "Socioeconomic College" is a front for the Israeli Communist Party, and the "College" teaches boilerplate Marxism and anti-Israel propaganda, using public campus facilities. In addition, of course, in-classroom leftist and anti-Israel political indoctrination is routinely conducted on these same taxpayer-financed campuses (see http://www.israel-academia-monitor.com). So perhaps Prof. Grossman and VATAT should also have something to say about that? Why not write Prof. Grossman and ask him why the communist party is allowed to operate its propaganda "college" on public facilities paid for by the Israeli taxpayer! You can FAX Prof. Shlomo Grossman, director of VATAT, at 972 2-5679969 or write POB 4037, Jerusalem 91040 Prof. Grossman's email is grossms@mail.biu.ac.il
2. "Haifa U. Arab Student Calendar Honors Bin-Laden, Nasrallah"
An Arab student calendar distributed at Haifa University marks the dates of major terrorist attacks, as well as significant dates in the lives of Arab terrorists such as Osama Bin-Laden. The calendar, sponsored by the Islamic Movement - based in the Israeli city Um El-Fahm - marks the birthday of Al-Qaeda founder Bin-Laden, the date of PLO leader Yasser Arafat's death, and significant dates in the lives of Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah and jailed Fatah arch-terrorist Marwan Barghouti. Also noted in the calendar are the anniversaries of the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York and of recent kidnappings of IDF soldiers. Students belonging to the Islamic Movement rejected criticism by many that the material constituted incitement. Mouad Hatib, the university student who was responsible for distribution of the calendars, said, "I don't understand the big fuss. It's a calendar for Arab students at the university... We mention Nasrallah and the date of the kidnapping of the two soldiers and the killing of eight others as a brave operation that led to the Lebanon war." Regarding the marking of dates in the lives of Nasrallah, Bin-Laden and others, Hatib said, "It's important that the Arab public remembers its leaders." University officials initially did not object to the journals when the written contents were brought before the administration for review. "Once it was brought to the attention of the dean that the calendar contains sympathetic pictures of people such as Nasrallah and of the attack on the Twin Towers, the permission [to distribute the material] was not renewed," a university administration statement said. "We have learned lessons as a result of this incident, and full attention will be given hereafter also to pictures in material to be distributed at the university." A statement released by the Haifa University Student Union said, "We are shocked, and we see as very serious the fact that, on the university campus, calendars were distributed including pictures of terrorists who publicly call for the liquidation of the State of Israel." Steven Plaut is an American-trained economist, a professor of business administration at Haifa University and author of "The Scout." He frequently comments -- both seriously and satirically -- on Israeli politics and the left wing academic community. His website address is http://www.stevenplaut.blogspot.com. Contact him at splaut@econ.haifa.ac.il |
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BAKER PANEL AIDE EXPECTS ISRAEL WILL BE PRESSED
Posted by Daily Alert, November 30, 2006. |
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This was written by Eli Lake, Staff Reporter of the New York Sun
November 29, 2006 and is archived at URL:
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WASHINGTON -- An expert adviser to the Baker-Hamilton commission expects the 10-person panel to recommend that the Bush administration pressure Israel to make concessions in a gambit to entice Syria and Iran to a regional conference on Iraq. The assessment was shared in a confidential memorandum -- obtained yesterday by The New York Sun -- to expert advisers to the commission from a former CIA station chief for Saudi Arabia, Raymond Close. Mr. Close is a member of the expert group advising the commission and was a strong advocate throughout the panel's deliberations for renewed American diplomacy with Iran and Syria. In the memo, Mr. Close shares his "personal predictions and expectations" for what the Iraq Study Group will recommend in its final report next month. Mr. Close writes that he expects the study group to urge President Bush to convene a regional conference "to enlist the support of neighboring states in establishing stability in Iraq." Among the participants in the regional conference should be "all principal states of the region," including Iran, Syria, and Israel. The inclusion of Israel, according to Mr. Close, is crucial because it will provide the only leverage by which Iran and Syria can be enticed to help stabilize Iraq. "To have any realistic chance of success, I believe that the process would have to start with the announcement of a major initiative, promoted and vigorously supported by the United States, to reach a comprehensive resolution to the Israel-Arab crisis through a process of reasonable compromise and accommodation between Israel and its Arab neighbors," he writes. While it is widely expected that the Baker-Hamilton commission will recommend renewed diplomacy with Iran and Syria in an effort to share the burden in stabilizing the country, the content of such negotiations has until now been a mystery. According to Mr. Close, the talks will center around a resolution of the conflict between the Jewish state and the Arab and Islamic world. Other members of the expert working groups yesterday, when asked about the memo, confirmed it was authentic. Mr. Close did not return an email seeking comment. But two members cautioned that the views of Mr. Close were his own and that in the last three weeks the commission and team of staffers at the U.S. Institute of Peace have not formally sought the opinions of the expert working groups. That said, some of the individual experts have provided private counsel and analysis to individual members. Mr. Close believes a regional conference centering on Israel's conflict is so likely that "If the ISG suggests a regional conference to which would not be invited, that could only be because Israel and its supporters in the United States intervened to protect Israel from involvement in a process in which it would inevitably have to make significant concessions and compromises." Mr. Close does not specify what those compromises would be. He does however write that America and Israel will need to make "significant modifications" to their current positions. He also writes that America should not offer Syria an opportunity to restore its semi-sovereignty over Lebanon. But in lieu of that, "perhaps the US will have to put pressure on Israel to make territorial concessions in the Golan." The reference is to the Golan Heights, which Israel annexed after winning from Syria in the Six Day War of 1967. The memo from Mr. Close is deeply pessimistic about any chance that Mr. Bush will achieve a victory in Iraq on his original terms as a beacon of democracy for the Middle East. He derides what he expects will be conclusions from an internal government review that "will continue to promote the delusion that Æsuccess' is still a realistic objective in Iraq." He describes Iraq as a "looming catastrophe," ending his thoughts with this terse summary: "No simple or convenient solutions. Very little hope of success. But no better ideas to work with." Mr. Close has been an outspoken critic of the war for which he was tasked to advise a strategy. On June 10, 2003 he penned an article for the newsletter "Counterpunch" in which he concluded that the Bush administration's alleged manipulation of pre-war intelligence "was a crime against those values for which America stands most proud." Mr. Close has also been an ally of Saudi Arabia. In 1977, on the day of his retirement from the CIA, while still in Jedda, Mr. Close began working with Saudi Arabia's then intelligence chief, Kamal Adham, according to one of his former bosses at the agency's directorate of operations. "On the day he retired from the CIA, Ray walked across the street and joined Kamal Adham in a business relationship," Duane Clarridge said yesterday in an interview. "To many officers in the CIA this seemed untoward because as a government official, he had an official relationship with Kamal Adham. Now he was in a commercial relationship which over the years reportedly made Close a very wealthy man." Mr. Adham later went on to play a key role in the BCCI banking scandal, where the bank was accused of bribing senior government officials in a variety of countries as well as graft. Mr. Close's son, Kenneth, is a registered foreign agent for Saudi Arabia. EXTRACTS FROM THE CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT BY RAY CLOSE OBTAINED BY THE SUN. Fasten your seat belts, as Bette Davis would say, because it's going to be a bumpy ride. ... Baker and Hamilton will soon announce a set of recommendations of which the following is, in my opinion at least, the most important and potentially the most controversial: Encourage the holding of a regional conference to enlist the support of neighboring states in establishing stability in Iraq... All principal states of the region would be invited, particularly including Iran and Syria -- and Israel. ... This initiative could succeed only if the United States and Israel were to convey to prospective attendees in advance their readiness in principle to make significant concessions and accommodations in return for comparable concessions and accommodations from Iran and Syria, by themselves and on behalf of their allies in Lebanon and Palestine... The strongest and most forward-looking members if [sic] the Baker-Hamilton Commission, ... are prepared to recommend that effort. ... There is ... no simple or easy way to escape the looming catastrophe that was set in motion by the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 ... The ISG is also obviously going to address the question of when and under what conditions the United States will start withdrawing troops from Iraq. Some kind of withdrawal plan is a minimum insisted upon by the majority of Democratic members of the Commission and some of the Republicans, as well. ... A new and comprehensive "regional policy makeover" is a grand idea, but presents many serious complications. ... To have any realistic chance of success, I believe that the process would have to start with the announcement of a major initiative, promoted and vigorously supported by the United States, to reach a comprehensive resolution to the Israel-Arab crisis through a process of reasonable compromise and accommodation between Israel and its Arab neighbors.... The proposal to call a regional conference sounds good, but does not stand up very well to hard analysis. With George W. Bush in the White House, I cannot see a single prospective participant in a regional conference of this kind (particularly the United States and Israel) coming to the table prepared to make the compromises and concessions that will be essential to reaching a constructive outcome of US policy in Iraq. ... However ...I believe that the ISG will nevertheless recommend the convocation of a regional conference. ...Tragically, I think George W. Bush will not agree even to give it a sporting chance. |
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USAIR BOYCOTTED BY MUSLIMS -- NOW WORLD'S SAFEST AIRLINE
Posted by Ian Fletcher, November 29, 2006. |
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I DON'T NEED ANOTHER MEETING.
Posted by Buddy Macy, November 29, 2006. |
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Last month I had a telephone conversation with Howard Rieger, President of United Jewish Communities (UJC), the Jewish Federation network in North America. I had phoned Mr. Rieger earlier in the day, and he promptly returned my call. It had been a rough week for the colossal Jewish fundraising organization. On October 13th, a front-page article appeared in The New York Jewish Week criticizing UJC for disbursing a significant amount of funds from its Israel Emergency Campaign (IEC) to non-Jews in Israel. Howard Rieger responded to the article by stating that 3 percent of all IEC monies raised to-date had gone to non-Jewish Israelis in the north. Yet, according to an October 5, 2006 UJC Communications Department email containing an IEC ALLOCATIONS UPDATE, nearly $9,000,000 of the first $50,000,000 SPENT had been distributed to non-Jews. In his calculation, Rieger used the amount of PLEDGES ($300 million) as the denominator, not the actual dollars SPENT, thus intentionally creating the illusion of a much lower percentage of the funds going to non-Jews. During the phone call, I proposed to Mr. Rieger that he meet with me and several other ardent supporters of Israel. We wished to discuss the organization's lack of support for the expellees from Gush Katif and northern Samaria, its "post-war" financial support of non-Jews (without the knowledge of many of the contributors to the IEC) and UJC's silence with regard to Ehud Olmert's existence-threatening decisions regarding Israel since assuming the position of Prime Minister. Mr. Rieger's reply was short and callous: "I don't need another meeting," he said. Mr. Rieger: I am writing this email on Sunday evening and do not expect nor wish any compensation for it. You, on the other hand, receive a salary (that is paid out of contributions to needy Jews) in excess of $700,000 annually for your work on behalf of our fellow Jews - fundraising and advocacy that should be regarded by you as a tremendous privilege -- yet, you refuse to meet with me and other pro-Israel activists during working hours because you don't "need" another meeting. The Jewish People deserve and NEED much more. And, certainly, 16 months after being expelled from their homes and communities, 10,000 Jewish refugees deserve and NEED the Jewish community's concern, compassion and FINANCIAL GENEROSITY . Most sincerely,
Buddy Macy was formerly an active volunteer with UJC. Read about his story at by clicking here.Contact him at VegiBud@aol.com. |
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REWARDING TERRORISM BREEDS MORE TERRORISM
Posted by Barry Rubin, November 29, 2006. |
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The Middle East always gives us clues for understanding it if only we paid attention to them. Let us consider how four events coincided recently. First, the West is abuzz with the idea of engaging Syria about the future of Iraq. There are broad hints about satisfying Syrian ambitions to control Lebanon in exchange. Now, what conclusions might we draw here? I'll give you mine: Syria wants to destroy any investigation of its murdering Hariri, to intimidate the existing Lebanese government, and to put into power a coalition of its clients, including Hizballah. As for Hizballah, it cares more about Syrian than it does about Lebanese interests. It is an anti-patriotic organization. Always remember that Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah is the official representative in Lebanon of Iran's spiritual guide. The Syrian-backed triple alliance involves Hizballah, the lame duck Christian leader Michel Aoun (elected on a platform of combating Syrian influence!), and rented Sunni Muslim politicians. But wasn't Syria worried about losing the Western offer of negotiations and concessions if it acted brutally? Ah, that's the beauty of it all. The Syrian government is not worried about it. President Bashar al-Assad believes he can use terrorism all he wants and no one will do anything about it. After all, the attack came a few hours after UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called Bashar to urge him to be nice in Lebanon. Don't hold your breath for a UN resolution condemning Syria, demanding that UN forces be allowed to patrol the Syria-Lebanon border to stop Syrian arms smuggling to Hizballah, or sanctions of any kind. In other words, the Western offer of negotiating Syria has only emboldened that government. Bashar feels like the winner and thinks the West is composed of fools or cowards who will never confront him. The attack on Gemayel was the fifteenth major assassination attempt by Syria and its allies since Hariri was killed. Gemayel was the fifth major Lebanese figure to die. Incidentally, there has not been a single violent attack on any pro-Syrian figure in Lebanon. By the way, the organization that claimed responsibility for the killing is a front group that was responsible for murdering two other anti-Syrian figures in past years. Its communique specifically attributes the murder to Gemayel opposing Syria and Hizballah. You may not want to take my word for it though, so here's what some other experts said about the assassination. Looking at the nonsense spouted by these and other people, perhaps Bashar is right in his low evaluation of the West: Expert Number One: The problem is a "cycle of violence" in Lebanon. Wrong, no cycle. Only one side is using violence. Expert Number Two: It is all U.S. President George Bush's fault. Nope. Having a Democrat in the White House would not change the behavior of Syria, Iran, and Hizballah for the better. Expert Number Three: We all better give Syria what it wants or there will be more violence. Misleading. Yes, if we don't give Syria what it wants the Syrian government will commit more terrorism. And if we do give Syria what it wants, the Syrian government will commit even more terrorism than that. The name for this person's reasoning is appeasement. The point is to show that terrorism and aggression aren't profitable. Otherwise, they will become even more popular than they are now. Expert Number Four: The real danger is that anti-Syrian Lebanese Christians will stage even worse violence. As if they were the villains here. Let's start by dealing with the violence we have already. The Christians are showing restraint, and Expert Number Four refuses even to condemn Syria and Hizballah, and in fact sympathizes with them. This is not to say that all responses are so bad; yet, it is clearly terrible enough to convince Bashar that he can have both terrorism and the West groveling, both Lebanon and international compliance. What is needed is an alternative. The international community should make it clear that Syrian backing for terrorism against Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel will bring punishment. That means isolation, sanctions, investigation, and persecution. The situation also involves a massive program of economic and military support for the current Lebanese government so that it can survive. After all, Hizballah is getting money and arms from Iran and Syria while the moderates get nothing from the West. In the immediate term, the number-one danger in the Middle East is not Iranian nuclear weapons, though that is a big enough longer-term threat, but an extremist takeover of Lebanon. All the Syrians and Hizballah have to do is kill two more cabinet ministers and the government will fall. And even the courage of Lebanon's patriotic majority has its limits. Such an event would be the most significant domestic political change in the region since the Iranian Islamist revolution a quarter-century ago. When Syria, Iran, and Hizballah engage in terrorism, this is a signal that they should be opposed vigorously. Is that so hard to understand? Does anyone really remember the lessons of September 11? Barry Rubin is Director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center, Interdisciplinary Center university. His co-authored book, Yasir Arafat: A Political Biography, (Oxford University Press) is now available in paperback and in Hebrew. His latest book, The Long War for Freedom: The Arab Struggle for Democracy in the Middle East, was published by Wiley in November 2005. Prof. Rubin's columns can be read online at: http://gloria.idc.ac.il/columns/column.html. |
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GULLIBLE JEWS AND JEWISH PRESS
Posted by Steven Shamrak, November 29, 2006. |
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Contrary to the common belief of anti-Semites, that Jews are shrewd, we are quite trusting people and naive. For example, if today a Christian anti-Semite or an Arab terrorist, with years of Jew-bashing experience, would announce that they condemn their evil ways of the past and support Israel's right to exist, Jewish communities around the world would immediately start actively promoting them as saints. Quite often, the reason behind these kinds of transformation is sinister - It is the desire to get the free publicity for an upcoming book, movie or Jewish money for speaking engagements. Occasionally, I send my articles and letters to Jewish papers. Most often, they are rejected or 'modified' without my consent. The politically motivated editors of the Jewish publications are unwilling and unable to allow the freedom of speech, when the right of Jews to their ancestral land and the future of Jewish people are concerned. At the same time, they are able to allocate almost unlimited space and give any inconceivable excuse to the enemies of the Jewish state. The voices of Jewish self-haters are quite dominant in many Jewish publications and Internet. The discreditation of Jewish patriots and the original ideas of Zionism became a norm and they are not given the opportunity to state their case to the public at all. It seems that most of those publications are Jewish by the namesake only. They are not interested in providing the leadership for communities, they claim represent. From time to time they do raise controversial questions, like "Who is a Jew?" Most of the time, it is not done to resolve an issue, but for the sake of increasing the number of subscribers. A while ago, September of 2006, I was surprised when a correspondent of the Australian Jewish News, which is notorious for its editors' leftist ideology, expressed his interest to interview me. He wanted to publish my personal profile and information about my Internet based editorial letter in the paper. We had a 45 minutes face-to-face interview, during which we covered the wide range of questions and he made four pages of tightly written notes. Two months later, when I received a draft of the interview, many important points were omitted or distorted. Two major questions which I strongly emphasized during interview, were not included in the draft at all: Q1: Why did I start publishing your letters five years ago? -- "Because for years I observed that Jewish leaders were apathetic and unwilling in promoting Jewish unity and original Zionist ideas." Q2: What is the purpose of your letters? -- "Disseminate the idea that Jewish people have the right to live in peace on all Jewish land - Eretz-Israel?" Why is it so difficult for a Jewish newspaper to give a voice to true Zionist ideas? Why are they so considerate and sensitive to "the suffering of poor Palestinians", but ignore the sufferings of their own people inflicted by the "poor Palestinians"? Why do they support almost any national independence movement, but actively deny the rights of Jewish people and ignore Zionism - the Jewish National Independence Movement? It is time to realize that most of the so-called Jewish publications, may be run by Jews, but are just commercial enterprises targeting Jews for advertising dollars and subscriptions. It is futile to write letters to them. The only language any media organization can understand is the language of "the Bottom Line". We must stop our subscription to all anti-Jewish publications! We must switch off all anti-Israel biased radio stations or TV channels! And, we have to let them and their advertisers know that we have done so and why. Only this way they will be able to understand that the hideous status quo will not be tolerated any more and we are serious about it! They will not change their revolting attitude, but they will be forced to change their business practice, because they do love Jewish money! Food for Thought It is said, that solution to any problem can be easily found by asking the right question. There are many Think Tanks around the world, looking for answer to: "How to bring peace to the Middle East, by resolving Arab-Israel conflict?" What they must ask: "How to help Israel to re-unite Jewish land, in order to send clear message to Muslim world, that Islamic expansionism will not be tolerated any more?" What Cease-fire? Mahmoud Abbas has told an Arab audience that he will not settle for a new Arab state comprising Judea , Samaria and Gaza and that the issue of allowing millions of Arabs to enter Israel is the key to solving the Arab-Israeli conflict. (It is all or nothing! It is time for Jews to realize it and take all Jewish land back!) Ceasefire Lasted 75 Minutes. A Kassam rocket landed in the western Negev, some 75 minutes after the PA (Palestinian Authority) declared a ceasefire at 6:00am Sunday morning. (For how long can Jewish people continue to endure stupidity of the gutless, apathetic and corrupt leadership? We need leaders with strong conviction and absolutely believe in original ideas of Zionism!) Quote of the Week "...there is a growing feeling that our leaders, our ministers, are abandoning [zionist] principles in order to remain in power longer." - Natan Sharansky, during his farewell speech in Knesset. Israel Offers Another Capitulation, Terrorists Offered Death. In a major policy speech, Olmert said he was reaching out to the Arab Palestinians for peace - offering a series of humanitarian and economic incentives if violence against Israel ceased. The answer was prompt, rockets were fired into the Israeli Sderot, despite a ceasefire declared. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, part of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction, claimed responsibility for the attack. (The weed must be completely removed, in order to keep the garden clean. There is not difference between Hamas or Fatah! They are just different variety of the same weed.) UN: More Resolutions Against Israel. The U.N. Human Rights Council passed two more resolutions against Israel: Declare Israel's presence in the Golan Heights illegal and condemned Israel's settlement construction. The 47-member council has singled out no other country but Israel for human rights abuses since the council was established six months ago. (While International anti-Semitic bustards are in power, Islamic terror will thrive!) Internet letter. Author unknown. There can be no absolute freedom of any kind even in a democracy. Absolute freedom is anarchy and that is hardly consonant with democracy. And now I am about to preach hatred. But I will not lie. Islam is not a race. It is a death cult. It strives for death for all who are non-Muslim and it strives for the death of Muslims themselves if they wish to achieve the highest rewards, the promise of sexual orgies and gluttonous feasts, in their afterlives. Muhammad was a deceitful, bloodthirsty, rapacious, sadistic, immoral warmonger. Despite the numerous pronouncements of George W. Bush and Tony Blair and of countless Imams and murderous Islamic dictators and a few self hating Jews and uncountable anti Semites and far, far too many others, Islam is NOT "A religion of peace". Of the approximately 125 armed conflicts and massacres being conducted in the world at present, almost all of them are involve Muslims as the perpetrators and very often as the victims of their fellow Muslims. But of all the horrible diseases that plague our world the most
virulent, most devastating plague of all is Islam. As with any plague,
one must either let it run its course and hope to survive its
devastation or take all necessary measures to eradicate it.
Steven Shamrak was born in the former Soviet Union (USSR) and
participated in the Moscow Zionist "refusenik" movement. For the last
3 years, he has been publishing internet editorial letters on the
Arab-Israeli conflict -- independently, not as a member of any
organization or political movement. He can be reached by email at
StevenShamrak@gmail.com
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NAZI GERMANY RISES AGAIN IN PRESENT DAY IRAN
Posted by Michael Bussio, November 29, 2006. |
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It began last year around this time, the Goebbelization of Iranian
foreign policy. The Nazi Minister for propaganda and war criminal,
Joseph Goebbels would indeed be proud if he were alive today strutting
about in his jack-boots. For in Iran today, that country's
dictatorship of religious fanatics known as the Mullahs have
instructed their willing spokesman, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, the decayed
corrupt bigot, obsessed by the evil within himself, to declare in a
ranting televised speech given on December 14, 2005, that the Nazi
murder of six million Jews was a fabrication. "They have created a
myth in the name of the Holocaust and consider it above God, religion,
and the prophets. If someone were to deny the existence of God... they
would not bother him. However, if someone were to deny the myth of the
Jews' massacre, all the Zionist mouthpieces and the governments
subservient to the Zionists tear their larynxes and scream against the
person as! much as they can." Ahmadine who is jokingly referred to as
the President of Iran officiated over an October 2005 "World Without
Zionism" conference. From nearly every wall in the conference hall one
could see Nazi-like standards, in English calling for Israel to be
wiped off the face of the earth. The use of English told many that
this spewing of hate and anti-Semitism was meant for world
consumption.
The statements from Ahmadinejad shocked and still shock even the weak-kneed Europeans. The German foreign ministry even went so far as to recall their Iranian chargé d'affaires. But should Europe be so shocked? Ahmadinejad's rantings are really nothing new. We have all heard this nonsense before. In fact just four years earlier before Ahmadinejad denied that the Holocaust had ever taken place, Iran's Expediency Council Chairman ’¡ÆAli Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani declared before a student gathering at Tehran University, "If one day, the Islamic world is also equipped with weapons like those that Israel possesses now, then the imperialists' strategy will reach a standstill because the use of even one nuclear bomb inside Israel will destroy everything... It is not irrational to contemplate such an eventuality." Unfortunately and sadly to say the least many intelligence operatives and analyst in the United States and Europe dismissed Rafsanjani's! remarks, suggesting that he was alluding to self-defense only. However, Iranian government officials and members of the rubber stamp parliament understood exactly what Rafsanjani meant -- to threaten the West and her allies with the use of nuclear weapons one day soon. The Iranian leadership past and present has called for the eradication of the state of Israel. This includes the Islamic Revolution leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to the current Supreme Leader ’¡ÆAli Khamene’¡Æi and even so-called moderates like former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. Iranian official have made fools of the Europeans for many years now, but with Ahmadinejad's howls they can no longer deny the truth of Iranian intentions. Note the following address was given by Khatami before the Italian Parliament in March 1999: "Tolerance and exchange of views are the fruits of cultural richness, creativity, high-mindedness and harmony. One must recognize this opportunity." Khatami's conciliatory tone, though, was reserved only for gullible foreign diplomats, parliamentarians, and academics. However when spe! aking to his own people his statements are quite different. In a televised address on October 24, 2000, for example, he stated, "In the Qur'an, God commanded to kill the wicked and those who do not see the rights of the oppressed... If we abide by human laws, we should mobilize the whole Islamic World for a sharp confrontation with the Zionist regime... If we abide by the Qur'an, all of use should mobilize to kill." The destruction of Israel and the United States continues to this day to be Iran's creed. Today the civilized world, the world of open markets, the world in which the rule of law is supreme, the world where women are accorded the same rights as men, faces this extreme and fanatical religious ideology; an ideology unchecked by even so much as basic human kindness. This ideology is about to take the momentous step into a greater world. Soon Iran will wield nuclear power. For those of us connected to the global economy and live in countries where half our population are not considered like so much cattle, we can not understand the mentality of the Iranian Government, and its Mullah dictatorship which desires to drive its nation back to the Seventh Century when men and women were murdered for daring to rise the level of human thought. Today this same thinking is demonstrated in Iran by embracing a culture of death and romanticizing martyrdom. Iran's president whose mentality certainly comes into question when he denies the Holocaust and calls for the destruction of the United States and Israel, is not just crazy talk, but it's that this oftentimes mentality deranged chief of state passionately believes in the imminent reappearance of the 12th Imam, Shi'ism's version of the Messiah. In fact, it has been reported that President Ahmadinejad has been saying in official meetings that the end of history is only two or three years away. Ahmadinejad and the Mullahs he slavishly reports to fervently believe that Iran's Islamic revolution's itself is to prepare the way for the Imam's return, a return that will be preceded by worldwide destruction and turmoil. And what better way to cause such destruction and turmoil, than the eager use of nuclear weaponry. This last summer the Iranian president pushed the world to the brink of what many are calling the beginning of the Third World War. With his support and encouragement of the Iranian backed Hezbollah terror army in Lebanon, Ahmadinejad stimulated if not ordered Hezbollah's unprovoked and heinous attack upon Israel. There is no question that Ahmadinejad and those Mullahs who pull his strings are exceedingly dangerous. However, it is the epitome of irresponsibility for the civilized nations of the world to allow this Seventh Century nation to bring about war in the Middle East and worse - to go nuclear and threaten the peace of the global economy with its soon to be expanding arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. Contact Michael Bussio at amblerfoley@earthlink.net |
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COMPOUND UNIFIL FAILURE IN GAZA; UNICEF ONE-SIDED; ISRAELI ARAB DRIVE TO TAKE OVER ISRAEL; NOBODY'S STOPPING IRAN
Posted by Richard H. Shulman, November 29, 2006. |
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HAMAS MORE DANGEROUS Hamas has boosted the range of its rockets to 21 kilometers. The explosives decomposed too soon to permit long storage. Hamas had to fire them as they were made. Smuggling in a better grade of explosives enables Hamas to accumulate them. It could lay down a blanket of explosives. That would serve as a devastating deterrent to Israeli raids (IMRA, 11/8). The smuggling was made possible by withdrawal from the Gaza border with Egypt. Israeli leaders had heeded US demands for withdrawal and are appeasement-minded towards the Arabs. The US demands are neither in Israel's interest nor in America's. They are in the interest of bias or politics. Politics is the art of the stupid. UNO OFFICIAL PROPOSES GAZA PEACEKEEPING He proposes that the Security Council send a peacekeeping force to Gaza, to achieve a similar success there that he says it did in Lebanon (Benny Avni, NY Sun, 11/7, p.7) Success? The UN force keeps Israeli forces from disarming Hizbullah and to let Hizbullah rearm for another round to the war. That's its "success," if not its purpose. DID THE U.S. FAIL IN IRAQ? Daniel Pipes said that the US over-promised for the short run. When the extravagant promises were not redeemed, Americans grew impatient. Had Pres. Bush promised less, he would have been seen as making progress in the war. UNICEF ONE-SIDED UNICEF expressed concern over the war's casualties and interference in the lives of Palestinian Arab children. It did not express similar concern over similar effects upon Israeli children (IMRA, 11/9). Neither did it express concern over the violence against the Arab children inflicted by fellow Arabs in their clan and police rivalries. Nor did it express concern over the terrible psychological damage to, and impoverishment of, Jewish children expelled from Gaza. ISRAEL STILL RELENTING & CREATING INSECURITY Israel reopened a crossing from the P.A. in Judea-Samaria to Israel, closed because of its use by terrorists. The government accompanied its concession with a threat to close it again, if terrorists use it again. The purpose was to ease the Arabs' lives (IMRA, 11/9). The US keeps demanding this despite (or because of?) Israeli casualties The pattern is: Arabs come in and bomb, Israel closes entrance, world protests, Israel reopens entrance; Arabs come in and bomb, Israel closes entrance, world protests, Israel reopens entrance. Israel should stop easing terrorists' lives and safeguard its own people's lives. Break the pattern that terrorists exploit for murder APPEASEMENT SHOWN UP, BUT STILL PROPOSED Israeli governments propose concessions to the Arabs without thinking them through. So said a former Deputy National Security Advisor. Those governments, which sneered at religious Jews for their faith, had a blind faith in appeasement. Instead of analyzing the problem and planning for contingencies, the officials assured the public that withdrawal brings peace and even if it didn't, the Army would re-enter and win. Israel withdrew from Lebanon and Gaza, and got war in return. Then the government no longer thought it could send the IDF in, in strength. Concessions are counter-productive. Nevertheless, the Olmert regime, widely condemned in Israel for foolishness, continues to propose concessions. One is to help Abbas set up still another police force. (Remember when the big, but useless reform was to consolidate the P.A. police forces?) He'd let in thousands more assault rifles (after previous allotments were turned on Israelis). He might have Israel withdraw from most of Judea-Samaria, without even getting promises of security (Dr. Aaron Lerner, IMRA, 11/9, 11/10). Olmert deludes himself into believing that Israel won in Lebanon and has regained its deterrent effect upon Hizbullah. He quotes Hizbullah's leader as regretting having attacked Israel because it responded so powerfully. But Nasrallah meant that he would have waited for when Iran needed his intervention more badly. He is undaunted. He became the Arab national hero. Hizbullah is rearming under UNIFIL and Lebanese protection for another round of warfare. How could Olmert have regained Israel's deterrent by displaying an IDF poorly trained, equipped, and led?. ISRAELI ARAB DRIVE TO TAKE OVER ISRAEL Jewish residents of Jaffa report "physical and verbal violence, repeated property damage, harassment of Jewish women and girls, anti-Jewish slogans and Nazi swastikas" and illegal construction by the Arabs. "The extent of the Arab intimidation and takeover in mixed Jewish-Arab cities was discovered to be much greater than originally thought. In cities such as Haifa, Carmiel, Nahariya, Lod, Ramleh and Be'er Sheva, a pattern of Arab population shifts has emerged over time. At first, several Arabs purchase homes in a Jewish neighborhood, and use physical and verbal violence to cause a Jewish exodus from the area. Those neighborhoods emptied of Jews then become centers of crime, drugs and prostitution." Some MKs suggested that the Arabs motives are irredentist and anti-Jewish. In confirmation, Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement in Israel, "...addressing thousands of Israeli Arabs at a rally in Nazareth...said, "History has proven to us, for hundreds of years, that the occupier is destroyed and we remain on our land. And you, oh Israeli occupier - disappear!" Israel was accused of having expelled hundreds of thousands of Arabs who tried to stifle Jewish sovereignty in 1947. It didn't, but should have. Now a political party interested in doing so gets called extremist by other Israelis, whom its policy would protect from the growing civil war. Such name-calling against patriots emboldens Israeli Arabs. So do appeasement-minded policies of "affirmative action," a Far Leftist Supreme Court that forbids Jewish cities from barring Arab house purchases, leftists in universities, New Israel Fund financing of the Arabs, etc.. WHAT TO DO ABOUT ISRAELI ARABS? Israeli Arabs imperil Israel's future, admits commentator Hillel Halkin. What to do about it? Israeli Cabinet member Avigdor Lieberman proposes trading Arab cities in Israel for land in Judea-Samaria and pressing the rest of Israeli Arabs to emigrate. Mr. Halkin calls that impractical and unprincipled. He argues that it is impractical because it won't work. It is unprincipled because it inflames ethnic tensions. Halkin suggests raising Arab educational and living standards, to gain their allegiance and reduce their birthrate (NY Sun, 11/7, Op.-Ed.). I think Halkin's proposal is impractical and unprincipled. First, there is no evidence of such a program being workable, whereas population exchange has worked, though it now is not politically correct. Damn political correctness, full speed ahead! Second, it is impractical, because it would consume tremendous resources. Arabs, whose culture, which appeasement-minded people such as Halkin fail to take into account, always make more demands. They accept concessions as based on fear of them, and would inflame religious tension to ratchet up that fear and gain more concessions. They probably would find they can afford more children. Halkin has no plan to reform Arab culture and religion, the cause of the tensions. Hence his proposal is vapid. Such a program assumes that Arabs are motivated by economics and that prosperity reduces their unrest. Experience has shown that the Muslim Arabs are motivated primarily by religion, a religion of violent conflict, and that prosperity increases their participation in violence. Appeasement-minded people have yet to understand the religious root of the conflict, although we are in a global jihad. Foreign Arabs would tell Israeli ones they are traitors if they don't persist. How can the locals not help hearing radical, foreign, Arab broadcasts? What about the radical imams Israel let into the country? Halkin did not suggest turning them back. The feed-em-better theory is unprincipled, because it relinquishes Jewish sovereignty. As antisemitism rises again, foreign Jews may need sanctuary in Israel. But Israeli Arabs would demand, as part of a bi-national country, the right of Arabs to immigrate. The Muslims would come to dominate. Muslims usually persecute minorities. Why is Lieberman's proposal impractical. Halkin's reply, that it won't work, is no answer, offers no evidence, merely restates the objection in a synonym. Calling it unprincipled for inflaming ethnic tensions is like calling self-defense unprincipled for inflaming ethnic tensions. Tensions already are inflamed, because the Arabs violate many laws and threaten riots if the laws are enforced. Imams and Arab Muslim politicians preach intolerance. Leftist social science professors take the Arabs' side in much of this. Israelis need more Jewish pride and self-confidence. I think Lieberman's proposal unprincipled, because it gives up some Jewish patrimony in Israel and Judea-Samaria. This assumes that the Jews owe any territory to the Arabs. The Jewish people don't. For their many attacks, the Arabs owe the Jews plenty. All over the world, Muslims are trying to dominate other peoples. It is unwise to permit them to stay in one's countries. It means strife, fundraising for terrorism, etc.. THE U.S. ELECTION AS FOREIGN POLICY REFERENDUM The recent election turned partly on who got the US into a mess in Iraq and was our leadership stupid. "Stupid" is not defined. Those who call a particular leader stupid usually think of intelligence as a single facility. Actually, there are several facets to intelligence. Some leaders are clever at short-term politics and certain maneuvering, but foolish about letting venality or prejudice sway their long-term policies that harm the country. Pres. Clinton had eight years of Islamic attacks to develop a policy against them. He didn't. He hardly responded to the attacks, and he shrank our military forces. He pressed Israel to appease the Islamists. Clinton accepted campaign contributions from China, and let China get US rocket and nuclear technology, which is traitorous. Pres. Bush was not in office long, before the US was attacked. He did respond. But he made mistakes in doing so. He has had six years, but failed to rebuild the armed forces to handle multiple fronts. He didn't ask for the money, but approved tremendous, unneeded subsidies and tacked a tremendous financial burden upon struggling Medicare in the form of a drug prescription subsidy. He, too, pressed Israel to pull its punches in its defensive war. Both Presidents continued subsidizing Egypt, though it never was reliable and is turning Islamist. Clinton failed to perceive the global jihad, and Bush failed to rally the country against it. Both in my opinion are stupid. WHAT EVERYONE ELSE AGREES ON Israel endorses the Quartet demand that the Hamas regime agree to recognize Israel and agree to promise not to make war on it. Then they would aid the P.A.. That is like telling a serial killer he would be released if he agrees not to do it again. NOBODY STOPPING IRAN Pres. Bush and PM Olmert met and declared that sanctions should be levied against Iran and that the "international community" should stop Iranian development of nuclear weapons. In other words, nobody is going to stop Iran. Will my city be blown up first, Pres. Bush's, or PM Olmert's? What "international community?" The fifty members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference? China? Russia? France? None of them want sanctions, most of them deal with Iran, and all of them dislike the US and Israel. If the UNO can't get itself to levy stiff sanctions, how can one expect it to exert force? The US must exert leadership, take action, and hope others follow it. To be world policeman, however, requires resources. The US should husband its resources. Richard Shulman is a veteran defender of Israel on several web-based forums. His comments and analyses appear often on Think-Israel. He provides cool information and right-on-target overviews. He distributes his essays by email. To subscribe, write him at richardshulman5@aol.com. |
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WAR CANNOT BE WAGED 'PEACEFULLY'
Posted by Dvid Meir-Levi, November 29, 2006. |
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A columnist from the Toronto Sun hits the nail on the head, both
for the USA and for Israel. Peter Worthington wrote this and it
appeared November 26, 2006 in the Toronto Sun
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Want to know why we (meaning the West) won't win the war on terror? Look at Israel, arguably the toughest, least compromising of the democracies when it comes to combating terrorism. It has been fighting terrorism from the day it became a sovereign state, thanks to the UN. Yet Israel, after failing to win the brief war with Hezbollah, is back to having to defend itself against rockets from Gaza, where Hamas rules when it isn't feuding with the Palestinian Authority. The other day, after a rocket attack, Israel announced it was attacking the home of a suspected terrorist leader where explosives were stored. It gave the occupants 30 minutes warning to evacuate before war planes obliterated the house. So what did the residents do? Well, not only did they not evacuate, but neighbours formed a human shield at the targeted house and, guess what? The Israeli war planes were called off. So now, every time the Israelis give the 30-minute warning which, apparently, is policy, the "human shields" of women and children head for the targeted house, secure in the knowledge that the Israelis won't attack. This is madness -- no way to fight a war, or terrorists. And this is Israel -- the toughest democracy on the block. And yet Israel hasn't even gotten its kidnapped soldiers back from Hamas and Hezbollah, which provoked Israeli retaliation. American, British, Canadian and NATO soldiers are even more restrained. When the Americans had (or thought they had) insurgents in Iraq, mostly confined in Fallujah, a hotbed of enemy activity, rather than obliterate it (as they would have done in WWII) they gave a week's warning for civilians to depart before they attacked. BAD GUYS DISPERSED When the assault eventually went in, the bad guys were mostly gone -- dispersed to other areas to continue their slaughter of the innocent. War cannot easily be waged peacefully. Restraints often mean prolonging the war and increasing its casualties. Today, humane considerations are paramount. The symbol of peaceful protest is Mahatma Gandhi, the creator of passive resistance that anti-military activists like to cite as a way to thwart authority. Often overlooked, is that Gandhi's formula worked against the British. If he and his followers had lain down in front of Cossacks, the Wehrmacht or the Golden Horde of Genghis Khan, Gandhi would have become an asterisk of history rather than an icon. A report out of Britain recalls that when American forces first went into Afghanistan, the first Taliban they caught were terrified --apparently convinced by their indoctrination that the American monsters would rip their livers out. Consequently, captives babbled like brooks and told all they knew. Then they discovered that American soldiers feed you and generally abide by certain rules and ethics unknown to Taliban and al-Qaida. Thereafter they shut up with no repercussions. Remember the U.S. bombing of Baghdad prior to the 2003 invasion? Peace activists from the West pompously announced they'd be human shields around prospective targets. Once the bombing started, these people fled -- outraged that the Americans could be so inhumane, even though none were targeted. EX-HUMAN SHIELDS As for Israel, if its government is nuts enough to give warnings of attacks, then it deserves what happens. The next warning should be that if human shields remain, they will quickly become ex-human shields. One attack should be sufficient to persuade Palestinian human shields to take cover. It's idiotic to give warning of an attack. Hezbollah and Hamas don't warn intended targets of rocket attacks and suicide bombings. America lost the Vietnam War because it refused to do what was necessary to win -- a political decision that cost unnecessary lives on both sides, and achieved nothing. Is that the future of Iraq? It seems so. David Meir-Levi is an American-born Israeli, currently living in Palo Alto. His expertise is in Near Eastern studies and the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. He is Director of Peace and Education at Israel Peace Initiative (www.ipi-usa.org). Contact him at david_meirlevi@hotmail.com |
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CEASEFIRE ALREADY A DUD; BUT SERVES ITS PURPOSES: 1938 DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN
Posted by David Meir-Levi, November 29, 2006. |
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The cease fire is a dud. 57 minutes after it began (6:00 AM Israel time on Sunday), the qassam bombardments began again with at least 9 rockets in or near Sederth, with several more a few hours later, and several more again on Monday, and again on Tuesday. So what purpose does it serve? Why does either side agree to it if it is meaningless? Why does Isral not respond as would any state in the world in a similar situation: re-invade and crush hamas? Benefits of the cease fire for: I.) Hamas: The benefits of the cease-fire for Hamas are obvious: a. the cease fire stopped the IDF re-occupation of the Gaza Strip which the IDF was insisting upon in the Knesset. A re-invasion was imminent just 24 hours before the cease fire was agreed upon. Some serious increased IDF action in Gaza was on the Knesset agenda, and would have been a real threat to the continued existence of Hamas as an effective terror group. So, the cease fire came just in time to save Hamas. b. As Hamas leaders have said (per my and Widlanski's reports below) that the cease fire is perfect; because it gives Hamas time to recuperate (and reload, re-arm, redeploy) and be in a beetter position to re-start the terror war at a time of its choosing. Indirectly, this tells us that Hamas needed time to recuperate -- i.e., the IDF was winning, was inflicting unsustainable damage on Hamas, and the cease fire saved Hamas from more such damage; and thus enabled it to regroup and recuperate to better fight the next round. c. By portraying the cease fire as a great victory for Hamas, and as a sign of weakness in israel, Hamas gains great PR advantage among its own, and its supporters everywhere. And this advantage means more money and more recruits. Just as Hamas terrorism forced Israel out of Gaza, so too now Hamas terrorism forced Israel to beg for respite, to seek some time-out from Hamas' powerful terror attacks. hamas is the victor here. d. By playing the good-cop/bad-cop game, Hamas can reap advantage from its supporters in the EU, UK, USA and UN. In the 'old days", Arafat was the good cop and Hamas was the bad one: Arafat gained plausible deniability with Cliinton for years by pretending that he wanted peace, wanted to stop the terrorism, but could not control the Hamas "hotheads". Now, Hamas is the good cop and Islamic Jihad (and the Resistance Committees and the dozen or so other terror groups in the Gaza Strip and West Bank) is the bad cop. Now it is, supposedly, Islamic Jihad that is causing the qassam attacks contrary to the input from Abbas and Haniyeh -- and poor Mr Abass and Mr Haniyeh are struggling to control their hot-headed terror sub-groups. By playing the good cop, Hamas can add weight to the Abbas request for lifting the embargo and getting billions of dollars from the West. Arafat had a great trick: one of his sub-groups, with a different name, would start a terror attack or take hostages etc....and Arafat would volunteer to come in and mediate a settlement. From Carter to Clinton, world leaders bought the charade. Arafat could look like he was a peace-maker, while pulling the strings of terrorism behiind the scenes. Now Hamas is doing the same thing. It still works. II. Olmert The benefits for Olmert are less obvious: and note well, they are for Olmert, not for Israel. a. Even if the qassam attacks continue but with less intensity and frequency, Olmert can claim that he has done something that helps Israel and Sederoth and the 44 other communities in the region that have come under qassam attacks. This may help his polls, and delay (not avert, not resolve, just delay) the crisis that the Hamas-led terrorism from Gaza Strip creates. b. Olmert disappointed Bush and incurred Bush's wrath with the Lebanon failure. Now he has a chance to make up for his earlier failure. The cease-fire is important political capital for Bush and Rice. (see below 'III'), and Olmert gains brownie points with the USA leadership by stoically keeping the IDF restrained and "giving peace a chance". It is all a charade, they all know that hamas is intransigent and will use the cease fire as it has already told the world that it will (see below, my article and Widlanski's); but the pretense justifies Olmert's political kowtowing to Bush. III. President Bush and Secretary Rice a. Bush is about to meet with King Abdullah II of Jordan, in Amman. There he will meet with President Maliki of Iraq. The odds of success (in Bush's terms) for these meetings are very slim. At least a little quiet from the Israel-Arab side will help improve these odds. Abdullah has made it clear that a resolution to the Arab-Israel conflict is a sine qua non for progress toward peace in the middle east as a whole, and in iraq in particular. The fact that such an assertion is completely irrational is irrelevant. This assertion is a cornerstone of Arab propaganda (useful against both the USA and Israel) and the articles written to rebut it have never taken hold in the echelons of power in the west. Thus, Bush gains political capital and clout if there is at least a veneer of cease-fire. b. Moreover, if Olmert does not respond to the PIJ (Palestinian Islamic Jihad) attacks, then Bush looks even better, because Bush can represent the situation as a demonstration of the hold that Bush has over Olmert/Israel/IDF. Controlling Israel, and forcing it to absorb Arab terror attacks without response, are just what Bush needs in order to look good, look like he is in charge, look like he has the power to give the Arabs what they want....all of this works to increase his political capital and make him appear still relevant with his enemies as well as his friends. c. The previous forays by Bush and Rice in the Middle and Far East have been poltiical failures. In one such foray, even the little (helpless, weak, vulnerable, recently-saved-from-perdition-at-the-hands-of-Saddam-Hussein-by-American-blood-and-guts, but proud and oil-wealthy) Kuwait gave Bush the proverbial finger and sent Rice packing without any agreements or concessions as to what Bush wanted. The only way to save face with congress (then dominated by Republicans) was to force Israel to a concession that Bush/Rice could mis-represent to Congress as 'one more small step toward peace in the Middle East" -- so Rice forced Olmert to agree to the opening of the Rafah passage between the Gaza Strip and Sinai/Egypt, and the IDF's departure from that passage; with the result that Hamas could then freely smuggle in, under the willfully blind eyes of the Egyptians, 33 tons of arms and explosives and anti-tank and anti-helicopter weaponry.....no great step toward peace; but political victory for Bush (TYVM Condi's kiniption fit at the king david hotel in jerusalem)....and, after all, what is more important? many more dead israelis or Bush's standing with congress? So now, again facing the prospect of a hard up-hill climb for some semblence of success in the Middle East quagmire (and facing now a Democrat-controlled Congress), Bush and Rice work in advance to secure some semblence of political victory for Bush, again at Israel's expense; so that Bush can appear successful and foist some semblence of his retained relevance upon the middle east leaders with whom he is meeting and from whom he hopes to extract some cooperation in the Iraq war. Olmert goes along, because he has no choice. Without American support, Israel would have a harder time now than it had in the early days of the Yom Kippur war. Where is Alexander Haig when we need him? Bottom Line: Netanyahu is right. Today is 1938, Akhmedi-Nejad is hitler, the Arab terrorist world is Germany, Hezbollah and Hamas are the Wehrmacht, Israel is Czekoslovakia, Bush is Chamberlain, and Amman is Munich. As Yogi Berra was wont to say: it's deja vu all over again. This article is called "Palestinian-Israeli "Ceasefire" Already A
Dud" by Michael Widlanski. It appeared November 27, 2006 on Front Page
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Israel and the Palestinian Authority began a "ceasefire" Sunday morning that was highly unusual in several ways:
"We will show restraint," declared Prime Minister Olmert in an appearance before Mif'al Ha-Payis, the government-run gambling concession, apparently unaware of the irony. "This is going to turn into another Lebanon," several Israeli officers told Israeli Channel Two, and other media outlets here reported widespread consternation at Prime Minister Olmert's decision. "Didn't we learn anything from six years of leaving Hizballah alone in Lebanon?" asked another staff command officer quoted by Channel 10 television. As if to buttress the fears of the Israeli Army (IDF), a spokesman for Hamas racketeers declared that the ceasefire was to Hamas's advantage. "We expect a total stop to Israeli aggression against Palestinian citizens," declared Hamas spokesman Mushir Al-Masri, in anArabic language interview with this reporter and IMRA news service. The Hamas spokesman reiterated several times that the ceasefire (would not) include the cessation of Qassam rocket construction and the massive smuggling of weapons and explosives into Gaza. More than 1,000 rockets -- with a range of six to 13 kilometers -- have struck Israeli towns and kibbutz farms in the last year, murdering several Israelis in the last month and wounding scores of others. [David Meir-Levi: over the past 5 years of random but almost daily qassam rocket attacks, 45 Israeli towns and farming communities have been terrorized, there have been almost 4000 qassams fired on these communities, 36 Israelis have been killed, hundreds wounded, hundreds more hospitalized for shock, and hundreds of millions of dollars in property damaged. Qassam rockets have twice fallen upon schools with direct hits on classrooms; and only miraculously were the classrooms empty at the time. Hamas declared before the cease fire that it would continue the qassam attacks until Sederoth became a ghost-town and would stop the attacks only when every Jew had left Sederoth]. Israel's counter-terror authorities say that more than 33 tons of explosives have been smuggled into Gaza from Egyptian-controlled Sinai in the last year since Israel evacuated Gaza, evicting almost 9,000 of its own citizens from advanced agricultural settlements there. The perceived failure of the Gaza withdrawal to produce peace, as well as the perceived strategic failure in recent combat in Lebanon, has left the Olmert Government looking desperately for ways to combat its own (drop in) popularity. For the last two months most of the public polls show less than 20-percent approval for Olmert and his defense minister Amir Peretz, while huge majorities favor the resignation of both men, along with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz. [Meir-Levi: and support for Netanyahu is rising.] Olmert, Peretz and Halutz have each tried to delay investigations of the Lebanon fighting, hoping that public disapproval will fade. David Meir-Levi is an American-born Israeli, currently living in Palo Alto. His expertise is in Near Eastern studies and the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. He is Director of Peace and Education at Israel Peace Initiative (www.ipi-usa.org). Contact him at david_meirlevi@hotmail.com |
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YESHA PEOPLE STILL UNDER ADMINISTRATIVE KEEP-OUT ORDERS
Posted by Hillel Fendel, November 29, 2006. |
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The Land of Israel Legal Forum has sued in the Supreme Court on behalf of a young father - one of 20 Yesha residents banned from their their homes and jobs without being told why. Eran S. and his wife, parents to a five-month-old daughter, have been forced to leave their home in the Lehava neighborhood of Yitzhar in the Shomron and move to Jerusalem. The reason: Eran, together with nearly 20 other young residents of the Shomron, suddenly received a military order several weeks ago preventing him from living in his home. No reason was given, and the General Security Service says the "evidence" against him is too secret and potentially dangerous to be publicized to anyone. The Land of Israel Forum claims in its Supreme Court suit that the order, "which restricts the freedom of an Israeli citizen as an administrative measure," is illegal in that it may be handed down only by virtue of a Knesset law - and not by order of the IDF Commander of the Central District. The orders are in fact signed by O.C. Central Commander Maj.-Gen. Ya'ir Naveh. The Forum claims that "whenever the government finds itself in a dead end security-wise, diplomatically and/or internationally," the Jewish settlers of Judea and Samaria become the national "punching bag" and bear the brunt of "new, sudden plans to evacuate and destroy outposts and issue exaggeratedly-restrictive orders." Banned From Home Over the past few months, 20 activist Jews from various outpost neighborhoods in Judea and Samaria have received orders keeping them out of the entire region. The orders are for between three and six months. Some of the men have families with up to five children, and some have no relatives outside Yesha. The expelled residents and many of their neighbors feel that the government is merely trying to pave the way for the destruction of the outposts and neighborhoods in which they live, and weaken the local morale in general. Among them are: * Ariel Gruner, 21, married + 1, whose orders kept him bound to a house in an unfamiliar, secular Jordan Valley community were to expire next week. He has already received his new orders: a three-month ban on entering Judea and Samaria. One of the youngest of the 20 is Elad Keller, aged 19, who has been in prison for six weeks - because he refuses to agree to what he calls the "unjust and undemocratic" orders to throw him out of his home and yeshiva. A resident of Maon, with his parents, in southern Judea, and a student in the Yitzhar yeshiva in Samaria, he has refused to sign the orders keeping him away from both places - and has therefore been placed in jail "until the end of the proceedings" against him. Elad was violently arrested - receiving bruises on his neck and above his eye - and thrown into jail in mid-October. As Elad explained in court at the time, "A group of policemen came into my house one morning suddenly, telling me I have to leave Yesha. I asked why, and they said, 'Because.'" Elad's mother Ruth said, "An injustice has clearly been done, and we support our son in whatever decision he makes. He could, if he want, simply sign the orders and agree to stay out of Yesha - but he refuses to cooperate with such injustice." She and her husband Ben-Tzion and several other parents of sons in similar situations have gotten together and are working on various fronts to bring the issue to the public consciousness. "Knesset Members from several parties have gotten together," Ruth said, "with each one 'adopting' one of our sons. MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union), for instance, has adopted our son, and he visited Elad in jail, for which we are very appreciative." Recently, then-Acting Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit promised, as did Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh, to personally look into all the cases. They made the promises in a Knesset session on the matter initiated by MK Uri Ariel. However, an aide to Ariel told Arutz-7 today that no results of any such reviews have yet been received from them. The aide said that MK Ariel is now preparing legislation that would ban such orders from being signed by IDF generals, and would require them to be issued only by the Defense Minister. Maj.-Gen. Naveh, who signed the distancing orders and can rescind them, can be faxed at 08-8680240; from abroad, the number is (+972)-8868-0240. Hillel Fendel is Senior News Editor for Israel National News. |
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SOUND FAMILIAR, MR. BUSH?
Posted by Michael Freund, November 29, 2006. |
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As the drums of appeasement vis-a-vis Iran continue to beat ever louder, the current situation in which the West now finds itself is coming to resemble May 1940, when Winston Churchill had to choose between diplomacy or military action in the face of a surging Nazi onslaught. The choice made by Churchill was a fateful one, and it might just have saved Western civilization. The question now is: will George W. Bush follow in Churchill's footsteps and hit Iran hard? Below is an article of mine from today's Jerusalem Post in which I
argue that for the sake of Israel and the West, it is critical that
President Bush follow the path laid down by Churchill more than six
decades ago. It is archived at
Comments and feedback may be sent to: letters@jpost.com or to me directly. |
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He was labeled a "hound," a "fool" and one whose "judgment is always at fault." Denigrated as "hopeless when in power," this wartime head of government was scorned as being arrogant, ignorant and just about everything else in between. His strategic judgment was called into question, his military approach was belittled and maligned, and his own generals even mocked him, accusing him of spouting "absurdities" and being oblivious to detail. Does any of this sound familiar, Mr. Bush? The subject of the vitriol described above was none other than the fearless lion of Britain, Sir Winston Churchill. That's right. The man now credited with saving Western civilization from the Nazi onslaught was the target of ruthless censure and disapproval. His critics were fierce and unrelenting, but that did not stop this great visionary from seeing beyond the headlines and standing up for what he knew to be right. The question now is: Will George W. Bush follow in this great man's footsteps? The threat facing the Western world is no less urgent or grave than it was in Churchill's day. Then the Nazi leader spoke openly of murdering the Jews, and of conquering the world. Now the modern-day Hitler of Persia vows to commit genocide and boasts that the West will soon falter and collapse. The only difference between the two is that while the Fuehrer could merely dream of obtaining an atomic arsenal, the tyrant of Teheran is dangerously close to getting one. And the only person standing in his way, the one whom God Himself has given the ability to stop him, is none other than the president of the United States. Without realizing it, we are standing at a defining moment not just for the Bush presidency, but for the future of the entire Jewish people and the Western world itself. Enormous pressure is being brought to bear on the president to embrace diplomacy as the means for resolving the various crises in the Middle East. In recent months, the president has come under harsh criticism for the conduct of the war in Iraq. The results of the midterm elections earlier this month gave control over both houses of Congress to the Democrats, who will surely push for a more conciliatory approach. And as The New York Times reported on Monday, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group headed by former US secretary of state James Baker will recommend that Washington engage rogue states such as Iran and Syria and open a dialogue with them. In other words, it is sounding more and more like 1940 all over again. WHEN WINSTON Churchill took office in May of that year, an emboldened Germany was on the march and the pressure to appease the Nazi dictator was at its peak. The British Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, was a firm believer in negotiations, and he wanted nothing more than to reach an understanding with Hitler, in the hope that such a deal would hold. But Churchill knew that the time for diplomacy had passed. He understood that the Nazis would honor an accord only for as long as it might serve their interests, and that they would not hesitate to break it in order to achieve their destructive, long-term goals. And so, virtually alone in his belief, Churchill pressed forward, convinced that only by confronting the Nazis could the danger to his country, and the world, be averted once and for all. At a time when others were busy closing their eyes to the mounting threat, Churchill bravely sounded the alarm and refused to back down, setting the stage not for appeasement, but for victory. It is this approach, and this approach alone, that should guide the US president in the weeks and months ahead. Diplomacy has failed, and sanctions will not deter Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from pursuing his aims. Military force is the only way to prevent the ayatollahs from joining the nuclear club, and time is running out if they are to be stopped. THE SO-CALLED experts and realists are dead wrong when they predict that military action against Iran would kindle a firestorm throughout the Middle East. Precisely the opposite is true. The reverberations of putting Iran in its place would be entirely positive, and would be felt throughout the region. Right now the radicals are emboldened because they sense that America is weak and in retreat. Hence, they feel free to make mischief and continue destabilizing the area. As a result, Syria did not hesitate to orchestrate the murder last week of the Lebanese industry minister, Pierre Gemayel, and Iran is not shying away from its ongoing pursuit of nuclear weapons. And all this talk of talking with the bad guys has only served to encourage them still further. What is needed now is decisive action, and fast, to slap them down and put the radicals back in their place. A massive American air assault on Iranian nuclear installations would do just the trick. It would not only set back Teheran's atomic ambitions for years to come, but also serve as a resounding display of US will and resolve. A strike on Iran would amount to a reversal of the Shi'ite surge that is now taking place throughout the region. It would take the wind out of the Iranian leader's apocalyptic sails, and it would have a noticeable impact on the sectarian violence now raging in Iraq, too. Syria, Hizbullah and others would take notice, and America's ostensible Arab allies - all of whom are Sunni - would certainly welcome a blow against the dangerous Iranian regime. Stopping Iran in its tracks is the great challenge of our day. For the sake of the entire Western world, and the future of the Jewish people, we can only hope and pray that President Bush will rise to the occasion and do what needs to be done. "Had Britain stopped fighting in May 1940, Hitler would have won his war," wrote historian John Lukacs in Five Days in London. "He was never closer to victory." The same now holds true of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who may be just months, or even weeks away from crossing the nuclear point of no return.It was Churchill himself who once said, "I never worry about action, only inaction." As a result, he led his nation and the civilized world to victory. Mr. President, may that now become your motto too. Michael Freund is a Jerusalem Post columnist who serves as Chairman of Shavei Israel, the organization responsible for helping the Bnei Menashe. |
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ISRAEL AS TODAY'S SUDENTENLAND
Posted by Helen Freedman , November 29, 2006. |
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It is expected that the 10 person panel that makes up the Baker-Hamilton Commission will recommend that the administration pressure Israel to make concessions in an effort to entice the Syrians and Iranian to cooperate. They are in effect calling for Israel to become today's Sudetenland. It was 1938 when Eduard Benes, the President of Czechoslovakia, much against his will, was pressured into giving the Sudetenland to Hitler, as a sop to his war-like plans. Neville Chamberlain, PM of Britain and Edouard Daladier, PM of France, joined forces with Hitler against Czechoslavakia in exchange for "guarantees of Czechoslovakia's integrity." Chamberlain returned to England declaring he had achieved "peace in our time." We know that "peace" led to the death of twelve million souls, as well as the incalculable suffering of those who survived during the horrific battle that was WWII. Santayana tells us that "he who forgets history is doomed to repeat it." Must we follow the leaders who have personal agendas that are entirely unrelated to the welfare of the good people of the world? If Israel becomes the sacrificial lamb to the lusts of the terrorist nations of the Middle East, including Iran and Syria, Europe and America will be next on the chopping block. These are indeed dangerous times. Attention must be paid. Helen Freedman is with Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI) in New York City. Contact her at ghfree@aol.com |
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ISRAEL NEEDS YOUR HELP
Posted by Arlene Kushner, November 28, 2006. | |
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I devote my posting to the broad issue of Gaza, Hamas, and the "ceasefire." At the moment nothing is more relevant to Israel's security and right to exist. What is going on is horrifying to everyone who thinks clearly on the matter. Yesterday I wrote about the complaint of the terrorists that they wanted the ceasefire extended to Judea-Samaria -- and I explained how important IDF actions in that area were. By last night, the news broke that "confidants" of Olmert and Abbas were in "constant contact" trying to find a way to extend the "ceasefire" to the West Bank. At that point one could only shudder and ask an anguished "Why?" Why is Olmert eager to do this? Why would he want to give this to the Palestinians? In return for what? They had already breached the "ceasefire" and there was no evidence that they had stopped or diminished smuggling of weapons. He wasn't even making a demand: show us your good faith in Gaza and then we'll see. There are multiple possible answers to this, not mutually exclusive. None of them are good, none of them working for the best interests of the State of Israel: *Olmert has been eager to give away our land since he came into office. He was hoping to do it unilaterally, following the model of what was done in Gaza. But the Lebanon war made that policy unpopular. The alternative, then, is to find a way to negotiate the giveaway. Olmert has repeatedly said that the "ceasefire" is a first step that can lead to negotiations. As to the view of what Hamas aims to do and how this terrorist group will handle itself, there are different takes. There are those who believe that Hamas intends to hold its fire long enough to secure land concessions from Israel. As I've explained innumerable times by now -- this would be in the nature of a hudna -- with Hamas strengthening all the while in preparation for hitting us when the time was right. Those who embrace this point of view believe that Hamas is prepared to arrange a modus vivendi with Israel, lending the impression that it is recognizing Israel de-facto while actually not doing so, securing land without resolving final status issues. Others -- and I among them -- believe that Hamas is too "in your face" to carry this off and that an eruption of violence is more likely. Either way, what Olmert is currently doing counts as a victory for Hamas. As MK Yuval Steinitz (Likud) former head of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee wrote in today's Post (emphasis added): "A diplomatic initiative with the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority -- even if it ultimately crashes on the rocks of terrorism and the demand to destroy Israel by means of the right of return -- will leave in its wake a fundamental difference: a de facto recognition by Israel, and therefore a de jure recognition by the world, of Hamas as a partner in the international circle without that group having made any significant and permanent change in its platform or tactics." All of this is the stuff of nightmares, a series of occurrences that I would have never thought possible. That the Western world is ultimately without principles is clear. But it is not even conducting itself in a way that is prudent from a self-protective perspective. Having a strengthened Hamas is ultimately not in the interests of Israel or the West or the so-called "moderate" Arab nations. Yet, Olmert and Bush are signing on to something that promotes this. How perverse, how self-destructive is it possible to get? Since yesterday other things have occurred. There have been further violations of the "ceasefire," as two Kassams were shot into Sderot. I asked yesterday how many violations will be too many for Israel. This applies all the more so now. A repeated insistence by Olmert that we have forbearance raises a host of suspicions as to his motivations. Not to mention that he makes us appear to our enemies as weak idiots, and therefore greatly vulnerable. Additionally, this morning IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that the IDF had played only a "partial role" in the decision to participate in a "ceasefire." In other words, the IDF, seeing the "ceasefire" as not in Israel's best interests, was opposed. Halutz made it clear that in spite of attempts by the Palestinians to equate the situation in Gaza and Judea-Samaria, the IDF needed to maintain its freedom to operate in the West Bank. The Southern Command of the IDF had already warned yesterday that terrorism would increase if the "ceasefire" were extended: "The moment we walk away terror will flourish," a senior official warned. We here in Israel have our work cut out for us. That is for certain. But now I address myself to all those who are in the US. I appeal to each and every one of you, to act here to help save Israel from an horrendous situation. The bald fact is that Bush's promotion of this, his political needs, are a factor in what is taking place. I ask each and every one of you to contact President Bush, the Secretary of State, and your own Congressperson and Senator on this matter. It must be conveyed from inside of the US that this is not acceptable. I provide below contact information and some possible brief statements that can be used. (It is more effective if you state the case in your own words; the message can be short.) A letter is most effective -- preferably hard copy, sent by snail mail, or else by fax. Second most effective is a phone call. An e-mail is least effective. Then I ask each and every one of you to put this out as broadly as possible to others who are willing to do the same. If you are receiving this in Israel, by all means send to your US contacts. This is merely a beginning. If you, in the US, are in a position to generate grassroots activity on a broader scale, please be in contact with me. We need to do this big-time. (It should be noted, as I do this, by the way, that I am a US citizen, as well as an Israeli citizen.) A Sample Letter
Send to: President Bush
Sec. of State Rice
To secure contact info. for Congresspersons and Senators:
Contact Arlene Kushner at akushner@netvision.net.il or visit her
website: www.ArlenefromIsrael.info
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DON'T BE FOOLED BY RONALD OLIVE
Posted by Justice for Jonathan Pollard, November 28, 2006. |
| Eliot Lauer and Jacques Semmelman |
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In Ronald Olive's op-ed piece, "I busted Pollard" (Nov. 20), Olive promotes his book, "Capturing Jonathan Pollard: How One of the Most Notorious Spies in American History Was Brought to Justice." Olive proclaims that his book "tells the true documented story of Pollard," "set[s] the record straight," and dispels "speculation, rumor, myths and lies surrounding the Pollard case." As pro bono counsel for Jonathan Pollard since 2000, we have comprehensive knowledge of the public court record in Mr. Pollard's case. Olive's book and op-ed piece are fanciful concoctions that are utterly incompatible with the U.S. Government's own carefully-crafted submissions to the court in Mr. Pollard's case. Jonathan Pollard was arrested in 1985. The U.S. Government conducted an overwhelmingly thorough investigation into Mr. Pollard's conduct and character, and into the harm his conduct had caused. Mr. Pollard pleaded guilty in 1986 to a charge of conspiracy to deliver classified information to Israel. He was not charged with intent to harm the U.S., although such a charge existed in the U.S. Code. On March 4, 1987, Mr. Pollard was sentenced to life in prison. Prior to his sentencing, the U.S. Government-the United States Attorney and Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger-submitted over 130 pages of pre-sentencing memoranda to the sentencing judge. Those memoranda set forth in detail what the U.S. Government claimed it had uncovered about Mr. Pollard's conduct and character, and about the harm he had caused. Substantial portions of the memoranda were designated "classified" and were placed under seal. No one representing Mr. Pollard, including us-his security-cleared attorneys-has been permitted to see the classified portions of the docket since the sentencing in 1987. In his book, Olive specifically disclaims ever having seen the classified sentencing materials. Yet, he makes allegations against Mr. Pollard that appear nowhere in the unclassified, public portion of the sentencing materials. Since it is fair to assume that neither Olive nor any of his purported "sources" would violate U.S. criminal law and disclose classified information, the inevitable conclusion is that these allegations do not appear anywhere in the Government's pre-sentencing memoranda. For example, Olive claims that Mr. Pollard delivered classified information to Pakistan in the hope that Pakistan would retain him as a paid spy. Undoubtedly, Olive wants to poison the mind of the ordinary Israeli (or Israeli supporter) into believing that Mr. Pollard was a mercenary who would just as readily have spied for Pakistan (not known as a friend of Israel's) as he did for Israel. In assessing the credibility of this allegation, it is important to know that no such allegation appears anywhere in the public record docket materials. And, since we have to assume neither Olive nor any of his "sources" would risk going to prison by disclosing something that appears in the classified docket materials, it is apparent that this allegation is not found anywhere in the U.S. Government's voluminous pre-sentencing memoranda. It therefore has no credibility whatsoever. If the U.S. Government believed this and other allegations made by Olive, it would have included them in the pre-sentencing memoranda. The U.S. Government took an extremely aggressive approach toward Mr. Pollard, and would have relished the opportunity to inform the sentencing judge that Mr. Pollard had violated the law by delivering classified information to Pakistan-and with mercenary motives, to boot. The book and op-ed piece contain numerous accusations that are nowhere to be found in the public sentencing docket, and that could not be disclosed if they were in the classified sentencing docket. They are therefore in neither place, and cannot be considered even remotely reliable. In his book, Olive asserts that Mr. Pollard's conduct caused "irreparable damage" and "incalculable" harm to the U.S. However, the Victim Impact Statement submitted to the court by the Department of Justice in 1987 (and now a matter of public record) portrays a very different effect on the U.S. After preliminarily noting the substantial "breadth and scope" of the information provided, as well as the fact that "thousands of pages" of documents were delivered by Mr. Pollard to Israel, the Victim Impact Statement goes on to describe the actual damage to the U.S. as follows: Mr. Pollard's unauthorized disclosures have threatened the U.S. [sic] relations with numerous Middle East Arab allies, many of whom question the extent to which Mr. Pollard's disclosures of classified information have skewed the balance of power in the Middle East. Moreover, because Mr. Pollard provided the Israelis virtually any classified document requested by Mr. Pollard's coconspirators, the U.S. has been deprived of the quid pro quo routinely received during authorized and official intelligence exchanges with Israel, and Israel has received information classified at a level far in excess of that ever contemplated by the National Security Council. The obvious result of Mr. Pollard's largesse is that U.S. bargaining leverage with the Israeli government in any further intelligence exchanges has been undermined. In short, Mr. Pollard's activities have adversely affected U.S. relations with both its Middle East Arab allies and the government of Israel. While we cannot condone any unauthorized disclosure of classified information, the Government's own words in the Victim Impact Statement, carefully scripted to present the most compelling case for the maximum sentence (life in prison), reflect-at worst-short-term friction between the U.S. and unnamed Arab countries, and temporary reductionEliot Lauer and Jacques Semmelman in bargaining leverage by the U.S., rather than permanent, irreversible, and overwhelming damage to U.S. national security, as claimed by Olive. Nowhere does Olive see fit even to mention the comparatively modest damage described in the Victim Impact Statement, which is how the U.S. Government itself has chosen to describe the harm caused by Mr. Pollard's conduct, in the court document designed precisely for that purpose. In sum, while Olive describes his book as a "true documented story," it is nothing of the sort. To use Olive's own words, his book is an exercise in "speculation, rumor, myths and lies." Contact the Justice for Jonathan Pollard organization at Justice4JP@aol.com or freepollard@gmail.com |
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"PALESTINE" = RACISM, FASCISM, APARTHEID, ETHNIC CLEANSING
Posted by The Reality Show, November 28, 2006. |
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Re: Arabist Carter hateful anti Israel book "Palestine peace not apartheid". Why don't we all call apartheid when it's really apartheid, racism where it is real racism and ethnic cleansing at it's actual happening? What would you call Arabs' forcing Israel to "clear" Gaza of Jews = i.e. non-Arabs? If this is not ethnic cleansing, What is? How will Hamas Islamic militant agenda be exempt from the usual "Islamic apartheid"? Especially at their long war on Christians like pogroms in Bethlehem, massacring Christians in Damour, killing Christians at the Pope's comment (2006), chasing out YMCA, and other incidents as part of chasing out the Arab Christians from the holyland. Why can Israeli Arabs be equal part of Israel's beautiful democracy but no Jews alowed into "Judenrein - Palestine"? Is that not far worse than mere: "apartheid"? What would you call "Palestinian" Arab racist war on Jews, by their masses (no, not a fringe minority) shouting "Itbach-Al-Yahood" slogan to "kill the Jews", the slogan that Genocide bombers use, or Arab killers of Jews in any other form, to "drive all the Jews into the sea"? If that is not racism, What is? When their war since the 1920's is actually about Arab racism on non Arabs and Islamofascism on non Muslims, i.e. Israeli Jews. Or "Palestinian" racism against blacks like cartoons against blacks as monkeys (cartoon on C. Rice, 2006)? Contact the poster at thereality show@mail.com or go to the website:
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CEASEFIRES AND BACKFIRES
Posted by Daryl Temkin, November 28, 2006. |
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Saturday night's news was a sudden surprise. Without any reported initial meetings, seemingly out of nowhere, a ceasefire was announced -- not only between Israel and Hamas but with an agreement among all the different terrorist organizations. This sounded unreal. For over five years, Israel's southern cities have been the victims of Gazan launched, indiscriminately directed, Kessam missiles. In the past few weeks, within a short number of hours, twenty to as many as one hundred missiles have been launched mainly targeting the city of Sderot. Its residents reported that the situation was unbearable. Sderot nursery schools, elementary and high schools, residences as well as factory sites have virtually no anti-missile protection. Only a 5 to 20 second warning signal allows the Sderot residents to run for cover. Traumatized children and adults have had to leave the city to seek shelter and protection. The Russian philanthropist, Arcadi Gaydamak, upon hearing of this plight, paid for transporting hundreds of Sderot children to Eilat for an "emotional sanctuary", far out of the range of the Gazan rockets. In spite of sharp criticism by high ranking Israeli governmental officials, Arcadi Gaydamak has become Israel's modern folk hero. Gaydamak's offense was that he took action to help people in need instead of waiting for the government to act. At the same time, the first suicide bomber grandmother made her debut performance. Although short lived, she successfully exploded herself but failed to kill any Israelis. Her nine surviving children and her thirty remaining grandchildren will not enjoy the anticipated fame and financial rewards that their grandmother's illustrious performance was to amass. The Gazan ceasefire was commenced on Sunday at 6:00 A.M. When the details of the ceasefire were being revealed, it was immediately hoped that Israel would have demanded the return of their kidnapped soldier, Gilad Shalit. This would have been an excellent opportunity to get Gilad without having to release an untold number of Arab terrorist prisoners. However, when the ceasefire details were revealed they only demanded that Israel totally withdraw from Gaza and that all the terrorist organizations stop shooting their missiles into Israel. The ceasefire included no restrictions on Gazan tunnel building or weapon smuggling from Egypt. Israel again entered into a perfect, "unilateral" ceasefire, providing no monitoring and full access for its enemy to rearm and strengthen its military weaponry and supplies. Of further confusion is that this ceasefire was not brokered by Condoleezza Rice, President Bush, the EU, or the UN. Therefore the outside pressure factor that has existed in past agreements where Israel has often been pressured to make unusual concessions, was not the operative factor. In order for the Gazans to be interested in a ceasefire, they had to be significantly hurting from the Israeli military incursion. The Gazans know that the positive benefit of a ceasefire means an opportunity to rest and to ream. Yes, the Israeli citizens of Sderot were in pain with the death of two of its community members and they clearly wanted the Israeli Defense Forces to aggressively stop the ease of Gazan rocket launching. A sudden ceasefire and an immediate Israeli withdrawal was likely not what the citizens of Sderot had in mind for their future protection. What is mysterious in this ceasefire arrangement is that Israel should have had the upper bargaining hand and so far there appears to be no evidence that they exercised any degree of that strength. Besides using this opportunity to demand the safe return of their kidnapped solder, they could have demanded proper monitoring of the Rafah and other border crossings where endless amounts of advanced Egyptian sourced weapons are openly driven into the Gaza Strip. This ceasefire occurred just weeks after the failed withdrawal from Lebanon, where within days after that agreement, against all promises and so called UN commitments, new weapons began flowing to the Hezbollah army. Within days of the Lebanon ceasefire agreement, Israeli sources reported evidence of Hezbollah's rearmament and the world refused to recognize, acknowledge, or respond. This week, even Time Magazine had the confidence to publish that Hezbollah is fully rearmed. Note that this speedy rearmament took place under the "watchful" eye of UNIFIL, now famous for only working during daylight hours and displaying its fortitude by threatening to shoot down Israeli surveillance over-flights. The Lebanese ceasefire agreement severely backfired on Israel which had immediately withdrawn all of its forces and did not receive its kidnapped soldiers, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, whose return was promised by the UN. The UN-monitored mockery has elevated the Hezbollah terrorist enemy to a position which threatens an impending takeover of the remaining Lebanese government as well as an impending military attack. How will the Gaza ceasefire backfire on Israel? Only hours after the ceasefire, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert offered sizeable land concessions in order to appease the Arabs for a peaceful coexistence. Olmert further offered a large number of Arab terrorists imprisoned in Israel in exchange for the release of Gilad Shalit. Then, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal announced that if within six months, Israel doesn't give over the West Bank for a Palestinian state, Hamas will launch an all out attack. It is always interesting to note the "balance" between the Israeli offers and the Arab offers. As Gazan smuggling tunnel building will continue without restriction, as Egyptian supply lines will continue to increase the already large garrison of Gazan armaments, and as Israeli leaders offer land concessions as well as the release of radicalized terrorist prisoners, this Gazan ceasefire, will hopefully provide a time of quiet for the citizens of Sderot and the other Israeli southern cities. Hopefully, Israel will also use this ceasefire time to reinforce the walls and roofs of the many nursery schools, grade schools, residential homes and business through out Sderot, Ashkelon, and the forty some other Israeli towns within missile range of the Gaza launching pads. Only nine missiles were launched at Sderot on the first day of the ceasefire. The IDF was commanded not to respond, in hope that the second day will be better than the first. So the IDF will patiently wait until the next "backfire" that will be too grave to tolerate. Daryl Temkin, Ph.D. is director of the Israel Institute which is devoted to teaching history and contemporary issues of Israel to Jews and Non-Jews throughout the world. He can be reached at DT@Israel-Institute.com or go to the website: http://Israel-Institute.com |
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SORRY JEWS. WHY YOU MUST DIE
Posted by Emanuel A. Winston, November 28, 2006. |
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Who says so? In no order of importance, you start with Israel's current Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, the Kadima crowd generally. They not only wish to give up the Land as a forward firing position for the terrorist Muslims much as they did with Gaza, they are willing to release more than a thousand terrorists convicted of killing Jews who vow to kill more Jews when released. The U.N. and their various affiliates like their Council on Human Rights (and Wrongs?) Tells the Jews they must disappear, in other words, they must die to please the U.N. The Peace Now and its clones, among other Left Liberal Jewish organizations work diligently to dispossess Jews from the Land of their ancient heritage - given by G-d himself. The Peace Now actions are in deference to the Arab Muslim Palestinians whose charters and actions clearly define Jews as an endangered species, intended to go the way of the extinct carrier pigeon, the dodo bird or the dinosaur. The Muslim credo sentences Jews to death but artfully avoids using the words. The President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the Jews must go, preferably in a blast of radio-active particles. He maintains that, only in such a conflagration will the Muslim Mahdi return to claim Islamic control of the planet Earth. Unlike the aberrant Jews who arrange our demise using words crafted by Peace Now, Ahmadinejad says he will kill us in straight forward language. There is always the trail of the Left to follow as they manipulated Oslo to insure that the Jews would be driven off their Land or die resisting. There is the political Party of the Left, aided by the Supreme Court Chief Justice Aharon Barak who tells the Jews that the Muslims have first claim on the Land and the Jews must go. Barak says that ancient claims don't count - from Abraham's purchase of Sarah's grave-site at the Cave of the Machpeleh on til today. Sorry, dear Jews, you simply must die out or be murdered out to please the world. There are always the predators of so-called Christian Europe who, having tasted the blood of Jews throughout their centuries of pogroms, cannot resist a second helping. They are in lock-step with the Muslims and the Arabs, even knowing that they too as Christians (non-Muslims) are on the list of nations and religions to be conquered and ruled over by Islam. This does not disparage the many good Christians who support the Jews and Jewish State of Israel as following the true Bible as G-d's Word. Here I would include the American people who admire and support the Jewish State while detesting the Muslims who monopolize Global Terror. I am amused by the Leftist Jews of Israel who think they will be spared by their perfidy and participation of saving their own murdered by the Islamists. I would predict that such as Peace Now, the Israeli Supreme Court, the Leftists in general, would be the first to face Muslim justice, IF they succeed in conquering the Jews of Israel. The Muslims preferred methods include heads chopped off, burning alive, heads crushed by cement blocks as the Arab/Muslim mobs descend on them. The men and women would be raped and killed ’¡Æen masse' as is their culture in dealing with the infidel, even those (or especially those) who betrayed their own people. In America there are the fellow travelers of the oil-laden Arab countries. There we have the Arabist State Department, James Baker III and the Jew haters who run the nation - often from a "Shadow Government" within the outward official government. Clearly, these are not the American people nor the Fundamentalist Christians who enthusiastically support the Jewish State. The minority of Jew haters want Israel destroyed and the Jewish people finished in a massive Genocide. But, as they say, the plans of mice and men oft times go astray.... I see the Planet going through a catharsis which some will call a cyclical Global Warming while others will say G-d has reached His level of tolerance with the human race. I think that Europe and Russia will go into a deep freeze as in a small Ice Age. The brief summers will be dry and the streams will dry out. There will be a long famines and the people will riot before they simply die out. Some remnant will always survive. They always do. America will be battered with storms and drought for what their leaders have done (or allowed to be done) to the Jewish people. The TV weather people will call it "Wicked Weather" - very appropriate. New Orleans' 2006 hurricanes will look like a party. I expect more hurricanes, volcanoes, tsunamis and earthquakes across Iran, Syria, Egypt - surpassing 10 on the Richter Scale. Nothing civilized will be left standing. Disease will rage. Ports and low cities will be flooded as the glaciers and ice caps melt, sending populations inland where there will be no room - no food or clean water. In the meantime, the Jew haters will say: "You must die for the greater good of all others. Albert Einstein looked for a unified force which rules the cosmos. It is there and the Jews are but a fragment - but a significant fragment. Those who would destroy us have signed their own demise. For the insignificant human race our reward of mis-using the resources of this planet and the pursuit of the Jews can bring on another Noahide period where all humans are simply destroyed, except for the vital and pure remnant. I wonder how long Peace Now, the Israeli Supreme Court, Ehud Olmert, et a' can tread water. I personally, for whatever effect it might have, prayed daily for the destruction of the Jew haters (to include those who claim to be Jewish). Is all this wishful thinking? Perhaps. But, as I see the earth's mantle shifting with earthquakes, super-storms, tsunamis, man-killing disease plagues with no cures - even the rise of Islam as the blackest of plagues. While Einstein may not have concluded his unified theory, nevertheless, the synergism is apparent. Poisoning the land, water, air is merely one element on their way to killing the Jews. All of those previously mentioned and those hidden have joined together to despoil the Planet loaned to us by G-d. Somehow, the most productive race on this planet has been categorized as evil and destined for elimination. Perhaps the higher authority, that unifies the cosmos, may feel the reverse is true. That the Jew Killers have clearly demonstrated that they themselves as unworthy of further life. I hope I am around to see them obliterated, allowing the Planet to start the long process of healing herself and the Jews also to heal themselves, along with our Jewish State of Israel. Emanuel Winston is a commentator and Middle East analyst. His articles appear often on Think-Israel and Gamla. He is a member of the Board of Directors and a research associate of the Freeman Center For Strategic Studies (http://www.freeman.org/online.htm). Contact him at winstonmedia@comcast.net |
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GERMANY ANNOUNCED ITS DECISION TO STOP ALL ARMS SALES TO ISRAEL
Posted by Marion DS Dreyfus, November 28, 2006. |
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This came from Gigi Markowitz. |
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This is Israel's response. Please take a minute and read this message, as it is a good read. Several weeks ago, Germany announced its decision to stop all arms sales to Israel. Since then, other countries have followed suit. In response, Israel has canceled its annual multimillion dollar contract for its nationwide DAN buses which were manufactured in Germany, and is looking at other bus suppliers in the US, and Japan. The Europeans and their Muslim allies should understand that boycotts work both ways. When we said NEVER AGAIN, we meant it. Europe is stuck in the mentality of 1933 and conditioned to thinking of Jews as defenseless entities. The reality is very different. As long as Europe adheres to and supports its primitive Middle Ages death cult, European products must be off limits. We continue to call for a complete boycott of travel and products from the following countries France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Holland, and China, due to their support, sponsorship, and/or participation in global Islamic terror. The voting record of the above countries at the UN openly endorses Muslim terror. Remember, every time you buy a bottle of Evian, a Carlsberg product, a Spanish melon, a Godiva chocolate, a Dior lipstick, a Gucci bag, or a German kitchen appliance, you are financing the next Muslim mass murderer. The European Union gives over $10 million per month to the Palestinian Authority, knowing full well that the money is funneled to buy, import, and train Muslim terrorists and their weapons of mass murder. We strongly encourage everyone to buy American and Israeli products instead. Buy Estee Lauder or Ahava instead of Chanel, Dior, and YSL. Tell the salespeople why. Educate the public when you shop. Europe is underwriting the Arab war to exterminate the Jewish state. We cannot sit idly by while this happens. Make your voice heard and let them feel the sting in their pocketbooks. Let the Europeans know that supporting terror does not pay. Please send this to at least 10 like-minded people Contact the poster at dreyfusmarion@hotmail.com |
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"KEY LEADER" ABBAS HAS FAILED THE PALESTINIANS AND THE WEST-RADICAL ISLAM IS WINNING!
Posted by Nurit Greenger, November 28, 2006. |
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The bill of goods they go on selling and game the Palestinians play with the entire world is ludicrous but is working for them like a charm...the assumption in Israel and the West is that Abbas is too weak is a myth; he prefers to appear this way. He lacks the will and appears to be comfortable with the image of the weak leader, low on funds and resources, ALL helps to terrorize Israel. The feel sorry for me billionaire (Yes, like Yasser Arafat, this will be revealed after his death...) Abbas's message to the (feeling sorry for the Palestinians) outside world is: more weapons, more policemen and more money will enable him to move against the terrorists, which is ANOTHER fool the western world tactic, the gullible west keeps on buying into. Meantime, the Palestinians are laughing all the way to more terror, more breach of human rights, more craziness, more debilitating behavior Israel is so tired of. The gutless Israeli government and the entire West keep on missing the target, their wrongful meddling with the Palestinians affairs is constantly backfiring on them, thus, they are losing to the wicked that won one more round! As always, Khaled Abu Toameh gives us an honest and clear picture
of Palestinian politics and events. This article is called
"Palestinian Affairs: Guns and Poses," and it appeared November 23,
2006 in the Jerusalem Post |
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Last week, security forces loyal to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas provided evidence that they were still around and functioning. One of the branches, the much-feared Preventative Security Service, announced that its members had arrested two Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on charges of "collaboration" with Israel. Another, the General Intelligence Force, boasted that its men managed to break a ring of criminals who allegedly swindled thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank. The announcements came at a time when several Kassam squads were continuing to launch rockets at Israel from the northern Gaza Strip, on an average of 8-10 per day. They also came at a time when Israeli political and security officials were - and are - embroiled in a debate over how to stop the Kassam rockets: by reoccupying the entire Gaza Strip, stepping up the policy of assassinations, or launching a limited, large-scale military operation against the terrorists and their leaders. But almost no one in the Israeli political and security echelon raised the possibility of asking Abbas to instruct his security forces to try and stop the rocket attacks. That's because the assumption in Israel and the West is that Abbas is too weak, and that his security forces have been crippled as a result of repeated Israeli military attacks. The facts, however, suggest otherwise. Abbas has control over at least 45,000 members of a dozen or so security forces in the Gaza Strip. This is in addition to thousands of gunmen and activists belonging to his Fatah party. Hamas, by contrast, has less than 5,000 militiamen, who are not as effective as Abbas's policemen and security agents, some of whom were trained by American and European security experts. Here one needs to be reminded of the fact that although Hamas is in power, the Islamist movement actually has no control over the Fatah-affiliated Palestinian security forces. Almost immediately after Hamas won the parliamentary election earlier this year, Abbas issued a "presidential decree," placing all the security forces under the jurisdiction of the "commander-in-chief" (who happens to be none other than Abbas himself) WHY, THEN, doesn't Abbas simply order thousands of his policemen to deploy along the border with Israel to halt the Kassam attacks? How come he hasn't even made the slightest effort to stop the smuggling of tons of explosives from Egypt into the Gaza Strip? The answer is simple. Abbas lacks the will - not the ability - to take harsh decisions. In fact, he appears to be comfortable with the image of the weak leader low on funds and resources . Abbas's message to the outside world is: If I only had more weapons, policemen and money, I'd be able to move against the terrorists. This was the same excuse that his predecessor, Yasser Arafat, used to give whenever he was asked why he was not doing anything to stop suicide bombings against Israel. Judging from his actions over the past year, it is clear that Abbas is not interested at all in a confrontation with Hamas or any of the radical groups in the Gaza Strip. His strategy is based on the notion that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Although he has repeatedly condemned the firing of the "primitive" rockets at Israel as "harmful" to the interests of the Palestinians, he has never ordered his security chiefs to go after the rocket squads - not even when the miserable residents of Beit Hanun, who are continuing to pay a heavy price, begged him to take action. Abbas's claim that he is lacking in weapons and money is ridiculous given the facts on the ground. Just last week, thousands of PA policemen and Fatah gunmen staged paramilitary parades in various parts of Gaza, during which they reportedly fired more than a million bullets into the air. The cost of each bullet ranges between NIS 1-NIS 5, depending on the type of rifle or pistol. Also, it is worth noting that some of the weapons and ammunition that are being smuggled from Egypt goes to Fatah militias and Abbas's security forces in Gaza. With regard to the funds, millions of dollars continue to pour into Abbas's office almost on a weekly basis. Just last week, Kuwait transferred $29 million to Abbas's bank account. The US, which is eager to bring down the Hamas government, has also been arming and funding Abbas and his Fatah party. One report cited an official US document as revealing that Washington had allocated $42 million to fund the opponents of the Hamas government, while another claimed that the Americans had decided to provide Abbas's Force 17 with an additional 6,000 M-16 rifles. Such reports have left many Palestinians confused about America's Middle East policy, particularly the idea of spreading democracy. Just over a year ago, the US and several EU countries demanded that the Palestinians hold free and democratic elections. Abbas, according to some of his top aides, first pleaded with the foreign governments to wait a little longer. Faced by strong opposition, he later decided to move ahead with his plans to hold the election on time. Abbas's major fear was that his corruption-riddled Fatah party was not yet prepared for the vote. When Abbas sought to postpone the vote, he clearly knew what he was talking about. Like many Palestinians, he, too, was aware of the growing power of Hamas, especially in the aftermath of Yasser Arafat's departure from the scene. The majority of the Palestinians saw Arafat's departure as an opportunity to pick up the pieces and repair the damage he had done to their cause for nearly four decades. They simply wanted a better life. ONE OF the reasons most Palestinians voted for Hamas was their disillusionment with Abbas and Fatah. Prior to the 2005 presidential election, Abbas ran on a platform that promised to end rampant financial corruption, enforce law and order and bring about democracy and reforms. In short, his message to the Palestinians sounded so promising that over 60% voted for him, giving him a clear mandate to fulfill his pledges. But then, Abbas did almost everything to disappoint the Palestinian people. Not only did he not keep most of his promises, but he seemed determined to continue with Arafat's legacy - one that brought only death and destruction. Instead of getting rid of all the officials responsible for financial corruption, Abbas embraced many of them, and turned them into senior decision-makers. His promise to end anarchy and lawlessness never materialized. Under Abbas's rule, warlords, gangsters and militias became even stronger and more daring. These thugs felt so confident that they saw no problem dragging a Palestinian general out of his home in Gaza City and executing him in the street. The situation has so deteriorated that, for the first time ever, the number of Palestinians killed as a result of internal strife is higher than that of those killed in clashes with Israeli security forces. The US's involvement in attempts to bring down the Hamas government has only made things worse for Abbas and Fatah. The US believes that by giving Abbas more rifles and cash it would be able to bring about regime change. But in the West Bank and Gaza, there is no shortage of weapons. Tons of explosives, rifles and missiles are smuggled across the Egyptian border nearly every day. What the Palestinians need is not more rifles - which they never use to stop Hamas, Islamic Jihad or other militias anyway - but good governance and credible leaders. The only way to bring about regime change in the Palestinian territories is by exerting pressure on Abbas to reform his Fatah party and give younger leaders a larger say in the process of decision-making. Abbas will only do this when he feels that he is under pressure from donors. He will also only start moving against the Kassam squads and weapon-smuggling when someone bangs on the table and demands immediate action. Fatah needs to undergo real changes and reforms if it ever wants to return to power. Meanwhile, American meddling in Palestinian affairs is backfiring, because many Palestinians are beginning to look at Abbas and Fatah as pawns in the hands of the US and Israel . This does not help Abbas and moderate secular Palestinians, who are facing the dangers of the growing power of Islamic fundamentalism. But, even if the Hamas government collapses - and free and democratic elections are held in the West Bank and Gaza - it is almost certain that most Palestinians will not vote for the same leaders who lost the last election because of their corruption and mismanagement Contact the poster at 4nuritg@ca.rr.com |
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PRESIDENT BUSH, DON'T TRADE ISRAEL FOR IRAQ
Posted by Jerusalem Prayer Team, November 28, 2006. |
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This week, President Bush will be attending Jordon's Summit on Iraq along with Iraq's Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki. His Host, King Abdullah, seems to have already articulated Arab demands, warning that the Middle East is facing a crisis with Palestine Territories, Lebanon, and Iraq at the brink of civil war. "We could possibly imagine going into 2007 and having three civil wars on our hands," Abdullah said on ABC's "This Week" program Sunday. "I keep saying Palestine is the core. It is linked to the extent of what's going on in Iraq." Abdullah said restating the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is his top priority because the "emotional impact" of the problem "can be translated to the insecurity and frustrations throughout the Middle East and the Arab world." Moderate Abdullah revealed the core problem, an ideological war in which an Arab World hates Israel and really believes that Jews are the root of all problems. But even more revealing is that Israel is the Little Satan in their eyes, and America, the crusaders, is the Great Satan. It appears the turkey carving is going to be extended beyond Thanksgiving. Once again, Israel will be forced to pay the appeasement bill for Arab rage with more land. Click here to sign the petition to President Bush. Ask him not to allow Israel to become a bartering chip for peace in Iraq. Don't distort the reality of the Global Jihadist, because everyone knows that a Zionist Crusader conspiracy is behind all Arab problems, anyway. In October 1991, Israel was dragged kicking and screaming to the Middle East peace conference in Madrid. It was their reward for not retaliating as Saddam's 39 SCUDS rained down upon the Bible land during the first Persian Gulf War; and, the U.S. froze the 10-billion-dollar loan guarantee, which was money to help absorb Russian Jewish refuges. Having covered the summit and being the first journalist to address Secretary of State James Baker, I smell Madrid all over again. Do I not recall a similar summit in Jordon after the last Persian Gulf War to launch the Road Map for peace? Iraq is indeed a mess, but then why should anyone be surprised? Iraq was established as the central 9-11 front on the war on terror. (Oh I forgot; it's not a world-war against Islamic fascists.) Terrorism must be fought in Iraq without chaos. (I did it again; terrorists are militia and insurgents, words that were coined by Daniel Webster to define America revolutionary fighters like George Washington, Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin.) We don't want to offend Muslims by admitting that Muslims are killing us. When I said on 9-11 that it was Islamic Al-Qaeda terrorist in the planes, the network station said, "You cannot say that." so I said, "Okay, maybe it is Pygmies, Eskimos, and Tahitians. Jimmy Carter paid 7.9 billion to get the hostages back, but not until Iran was certain they had achieved their political objective...444 days of humiliation, and then, releasing the hostages the day of the inauguration of Ronald Regan. If they were willing to gamble the farm on a California cowboy, you can be sure they will do their best to give us a two-year ride on the back of the protracted terror tiger in Iraq, at least until Hillary takes the oath of office. Let's not forget it's all about stalling for time until they can make the grand announcement, "We have the Bomb." Syria and Iran have been the Jihadist traffic controllers in and out of Iraq, so you can be sure they will have seats of honor at the appeasement party. To give the terrorist cartel an invitation to the VIP Summit to help with stability and democracy in Iraq is the theater of the absurd. Why should anyone be shocked at chaos? Welcome to the world of Middle East terror, or as they call it in Israel, the Iraqi intifida. The U.S. gave Syria one billion dollars for showing support at the first Persian Gulf War. You can be sure the prize will be much higher to slow down the tide of body bags in Iraq. Israel was never allowed to fight a war against terror with the P.A. Every time they tried, the U.S. ran to the rescue of the billionaire Noble Peace Prize winner and godfather of World Terror, Yasir Arafat. Texas "T" ruled the day, not moral clarity. It all began when Israel was forced out of Lebanon by U.S. Liberals. What's wrong with killing terrorists in Iraq, no matter if they were wearing a police or a military uniform? Do you think the families of 9-11 gave their loved ones so Iraq can have a democracy? Why not get over it and fight the war like the greatest generation did with Iraq as the central front? The U.S. needs to get the innocent Iraqi refuges out of the country. That would be a great reason to have a summit. And, why not establish a base in Israel and recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital? That would end the "drive the Jews into the sea ideology" once and for all. I asked Secretary Baker to do that in Madrid; his response was, "You will not engage me in fruitless dialogue." Iran and its death cults are on a fast track to wipe the Little Satan (Israel) off the map with an Atomic Bomb. Click here to sign the petition to President Bush today, and then forward this email to everyone on your list. Together, we can make a difference. Robert Gates, President Bush's nominee for Secretary of Defense, wants to talk with Iran and Syria. Why not let the 22,000-plus American families who have a wounded son or daughter talk with Iran, especially since 85 percent of all IEDs in Iraq are from Iran, according to General Moshe Yaalon, former chief of staff of Israel? Why not let the American families of the dead Marines killed in Lebanon in 1983, or the thousands of families who have a wounded or dead loved one in Israel? Why not talk to Syria since Syria has armed Hezbollah, HAMAS and the PLO for decades, and is presently turning Lebanon into the killing fields? Did America really think we could go to Babylon and not get bitten? It's a shame that George Bush's 80-year-old childhood Sunday school teacher could not have advised him. She could have read him Revelations 18:2, "Babylon the great is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird..." Now the issue is: Will we fight a world war on terror in Iraq or fight in our backyard? You can be sure if we run, they will be coming to a theater near you. Please sign the petition to President Bush today! We must not delay; time is of the essence. We need 100,000 signatures. Please don't just delete this. It will only take you a minute to pass this along to 10 friends! Please ask them to not delete it, but to do the same and ask the 10 they send to keep it going...and not delete it. Keep this going around the world. Mike Evans Michael Evans is the author of "Beyond Iraq: The Next Move," and founder of Jerusalem Prayer Team, America's largest Christian coalition praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Contact them at www.JerusalemPrayerTeam.org |
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THE LUNATIC PROFESSOR NOBLE
Posted by Steven Plaut, November 28, 2006. |
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1. Last year I published a piece on the lunatic anti-Semitic
Luddite from York University, David Noble, here:
Noble combines Luddism and dislike of Christianity with utter contempt and hatred for Jews and Judaism. He is a leftist hater of Jews who himself was born Jewish, a fact that helps him defend himself against charges of anti-Semitism. Self-hating Jewish academics are common on campus today, and range all the way from the phony sophisticates like MIT's Chomsky and NYU's Tony Judt, all the way down to the vulgar neo-nazi buffoonery of DePaul's Norman Finkelstein. Like those others, Noble has a long history of bashing Israel and demonizing Zionism. He has maliciously tried to stir up anti-Jewish passions at York, where he alleges that the board of the York University Foundation, the school's fundraising arm, is biased by "the presence and influence of staunch pro-Israel lobbyists, activists and fundraising agencies." Meaning Jews. In late November 2004, Noble got into trouble for biting the hand that pays his York salary. He was attacked by his own administration for handing out information sheets regarding the York Foundation. He maintained that the presence of Jews on the board affects the "political conduct of York's administration" in important ways, such as the "silencing of pro-Palestinian voices" on York's campus. The University then issued a press release on Nov. 19, 2004, condemning material Noble had been distributing at a campus event a day earlier as "targeting Jewish members of the York community." Noble is tied to local pro-Palestinian groups, who back him in his nuisance litigation against York. Meanwhile, he has been condemned by the Canadian Jewish Congress and the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto for his anti-Jewish and anti-Israel activities. But Noble's latest high-visibility antic has been against the right of Jewish students at York University to observe Yom Kippur. Most universities try to accommodate Jewish students, often asking professors not to schedule exams in the Jewish High Holidays. York actually cancels classes altogether. Noble maintains that this is "discriminatory and illegal", because classes are not cancelled (unless later made up) for every holiday of every other conceivable religious persuasion. Chris Morley, a spokesperson for Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, said canceling classes on holidays "is a decision the university has the authority to make," adding that "it seems the York policy is reasonable." Prof. Martin Lockshin, an observant Jew who teaches at York and is on the university's senate, said that the holiday policy follows a general York principle of respecting religious diversity; but - more importantly - it avoids problems that would be created when many students and faculty cannot attend class. York also holds no classes on Christmas and Good Friday, but Noble threatened to hold classes on Good Friday as a political statement. Noble demanded that York stop accommodating Jewish students and he threatened to hold classes on the Jewish High Holidays to show his contempt for them. When threatened by the administration, Noble claimed he would henceforth cancel all classes for any holiday of any sort for any religion, including those of Bahais, Zoroastrians, and Wiccans. Now just for the record, on Yom Kippur the Jewish students at York (Jews are 10% of the student body there) fast for 26 hours, pray the entire day, and may neither write nor use electricity. So it makes perfect sense to make accommodations for them, and I am sure that if anyone can find any Christian, Hindu or Moslem holidays on which people fast for 26 hours, York would similarly be happy to oblige them. Anyway, now Noble is suing his own university again and some Jewish
groups for pointing out that he is an Anti-Semite:
"Professor suing York U."
History professor David Noble is suing York University's fundraising foundation and several Jewish organizations for defamation, claiming they suggested he is anti-Semitic to try to gag criticism of their activities. Noble, 61, who is Jewish, has brought a $25 million lawsuit against the York University Foundation, including outgoing York president Lorna Marsden, as well as the Canadian Jewish Congress' Ontario region, Hillel of Greater Toronto and the United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto for their criticism of flyers he distributed. The flyers accused the university of being biased in favour of Israel and restricting pro-Palestinian groups on campus more harshly than others. Noble distributed the flyers, titled "The Tail that Wags the Dog," on campus in 2004. They named directors and staff of the York University Foundation and cited various members' links with pro-Israel agencies, such as the United Jewish Appeal. In response, Noble said, members of Hillel of Greater Toronto sent a fax to the university expressing concern that the flyer suggested "Jews control York University" . something Noble denies having said. He said he criticized York figures for their political views on Israel, not their ethnicity or religion. The University later issued a news release condemning what Marsden called "this highly offensive material, which singles out certain members of the York community on the basis of their ethnicity and political views." While it did not name Noble, it quoted a Jewish student leader who was concerned about "such inflammatory material," and said "it is unacceptable for any students to be exposed to this type of bigotry." Angry his claims were being called bigoted, Noble has already filed a union grievance seeking an apology and $10 million in damages for defamation. Noble has also filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission against York for its long-standing practice of cancelling all classes on Jewish high holidays, such as Yom Kippur. York established the policy years ago at the request of Jewish students, but it allows any student to obtain a change of schedule if a class conflicts with a religious holiday. In response, Noble, an outspoken critic of the policy, cancels his own classes on Muslim holidays as well. "Look, I have very diverse classes and I want to dramatize the point that we are a multicultural, publicly funded university, so we should either recognize all religious high holidays or none," he has said. York has an estimated 5,000 Jewish students, roughly 10 per cent of its student body, and it began cancelling classes on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 40 years ago. Last year, Noble said he would hold classes on the Jewish holidays in defiance of York's policy, but he changed his mind after a student filed a complaint and he received threatening phone messages. Steven Plaut is an American-trained economist, a professor of business administration at Haifa University and author of "The Scout." He frequently comments -- both seriously and satirically -- on Israeli politics and the left wing academic community. His website address is http://www.stevenplaut.blogspot.com. Contact him at splaut@econ.haifa.ac.il |
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ISRAELI MUSLIMS DEMAND NO SYNAGOGUE ON MOUNT; WAR LAW; ARABS FOR ISRAEL
Posted by Richard H. Shulman, November 28, 2006. |
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NY TIMES SPIN ON BEIT HANOUN SHELLING Israeli gunners aimed their cannon at a Beit Hanoun orange grove that concealed rocket launchers. Technical malfunction caused a couple of shells to go astray and kill people not aimed at. Hamas threatened "revenge." The Prime Minister of Israel expressed remorse and said he offered a "great deal" to the P.A. (Ian Fisher, 11/10, A3). See my 14573 on international legality of Israeli military operations. I think that an objective newspaper would try to report all the facts are reported and represent all sides, although I could understand ignoring the genocidal side. The Times, however, often gives short shrift to the intended Israeli victims of genocide. The Times practice of reporting just what people say, and being selectively one-sided about background information, does not properly inform the modern, rushed, non-thinking public naïve in the faith that the newspaper fully informs it. If the reporters asked more questions of Israelis, it would have more to report. For example, it could ask why Hamas threatens revenge for what was an accident, brought on by Arab aggression (the firing of rockets at Israeli cities, also a war crime). Why? Because the aggressors pose as victims merely retaliating. It is the same trick used by the Nazis and Communists. The Soviet and Vietnamese Communists had trained the PLO in tactics. I think the Prime Minister improperly remorseful. He didn't even combine the remorse with regret that the malfunction spared the rocket launchers, which is my main concern. He is a put-upon Jew, who has too much self-guilt towards the enemy, and not enough for the terrible trouble his policy makes for his own people. Where is his remorse for the needless casualties that his government's floundering has invited for his own people? He doesn't owe the Arabs anything. He was right to maintain that Israel does not fire wildly and off-target on purpose. He should have observed that Hamas talk of vengeance exploits that to continue its war of aggression as if in the right. He should have castigated the hypocrisy of Hamas' indignation, since the intended target of the shells were rocket launchers used to commit war crimes! By hastily offering concessions, PM Olmert bolsters the Arab propaganda that claims Israel acts badly and it is the victim. This proves he has no head. His callousness towards Israelis proved he has no heart. By omitting this discussion, the Times proves itself misleading. Not many readers know that the Times long has been anti-Zionist. Its publication continues to pursue that ideology. ISRAELI MUSLIMS CLAIM EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS OVER MOUNT After Muslims planned to build a fourth or fifth mosque on the Temple Mount, some Jews mentioned a plan to build one synagogue atop it. The head of Israel's Islamic Movement declared that the Temple Mount is exclusively Muslim and that Muslims would fight erection of a synagogue there (Arutz-7, 11/6). So much for Islam being a tolerant religion of peace! INTERNATIONAL LAW ON WAR MADE CLEAR & SIMPLE Muslim Arabs (who break agreements), human rights organizations (having an anti-Zionist, anti-US agenda), and antisemites who piggyback on the NGOs accuse Israel of war crimes. I find this part of the effort to de-legitimize Israel by depicting it as the successor to the Third Reich, which the Arabs admired and emulated in some ways. The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs explains the international law of war. Who may initiate external war is codified in the UNO Charter. A country may start external armed conflict if authorized by the Security Council under Chapter 7 or in self-defense. Once a war begins, customary international law covers how it may be fought. One may attack only legitimate targets, to contribute to victory. In 1977, the Red Cross declared that the presence of civilians does not render a target illegitimate, as when the enemy uses roads for military transport. The military advantage must in intent be significant, in proportion to civilian damage. Mistaken intelligence that leads to disproportionate civilian damage is excused. The attack must be made so as not to inflict avoidable civilian damage unrelated to military need. Proportionality does not mean that a defender must retaliate with force proportionate to the force that committed aggression against it. A combatant may not lawfully evade the enemy's ability to distinguish between legitimate and non-legitimate targets by disguising themselves as civilians or hiding behind civilians. (Palestinian Arab terrorists surround themselves deliberately with civilians. They commit the war crime of perfidy). "Perhaps the best-known charge made by international NGOs such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (A.I.) is that Israeli attacks in Lebanon violated the rule of distinction. Yet if you look at the actual charges, you will see that they are made on the basis of bad or no evidence, linguistic misdirection, non sequiturs, and misapplication or misstatement of accepted legal standards." "A.I. describes extensive destruction of residential buildings, over 1,000 Lebanese dead - of which an unknown number were civilians, and the destruction of dozens of bridges, roads, and ports as well as fuel stations and commercial enterprises. There is no systematic discussion anywhere in its report of Hizballah's fighting positions, its methods of combat, its methods of movement and communication, or whether Hizballah's combatants dressed like civilians. Instead, Amnesty argues that the physical destruction speaks for itself and demonstrates that Israel violated the principle of distinction." "To put it bluntly, this approach has no basis in the laws of war. If one sees a residential home bombed, or even fifty bombed homes, has one seen evidence of a war crime? One cannot know without more information. Again, the ICRC commentary says that if fighting between armed forces takes place in a town which is defended house by house, it is ’¡Æinevitable that every house will become a legitimate military target.'" "This means that when one looks at a residential home that has been damaged, one has to know where this home was in relation to the fighting. How did the fighting take place? Where were the combatants? Where was their weaponry? Without knowing these things, it is impossible to know whether or not a war crime took place." "Given that Hizballah fighters based themselves almost exclusively in residential areas, and located their arms almost exclusively in residential areas, many residential houses became legitimate military targets." "The same can be said of HRW's citations of attacks in which numerous Lebanese civilians were killed. Because Hizballah fighters in residential homes are legitimate targets, as well as the roads on which they expect to travel and the buildings they use for storehouses, it is legal for Israel to attack those targets even if there will be inevitable collateral damage including dead civilians. Moreover, as noted earlier, the question of intent is crucial. If a belligerent attacks what it believes is a legitimate target, and it turns out after the fact that the intelligence was faulty and only civilians were killed, there is no war crime." "Given that all of the Hizballah fighters illegally hid as civilians in civilian areas as well as the general limitations of military intelligence, it is quite impossible for anyone to expect that Israel would have been able to identify all targets with 100 percent precision and no mistakes." "Amnesty and Human Rights Watch claimed that the use of civilian shields by Hizballah does not ’¡Ærelease the opposing party from its obligations towards the protection of the civilian population.' With all due respect, this is nonsense. When a combatant hides in a civilian house, the house ceases to be a civilian target and becomes a military target." "A.I.'s report specifically accused Israel of violating the rule of distinction in targeting civilian homes in Bint Jbeil, where house-to-house fighting occurred. Nowhere does Amnesty mention that Hizballah fighters were entrenched in residential and commercial areas of Bint Jbeil, including the center of town. There is no way for readers of the report to know (from the report) that Israel's fighting in Bint Jbeil was actually in compliance with the rule of distinction." HRW accused Israel of bombing two clearly marked ambulances. Australia's Foreign Minister examined the photographic evidence and found this a hoax. Israeli missiles had not struck the ambulances. Their damage had rusted long before the war. Secretary-General Annan accused Israel of inflicting collective punishment upon Lebanon. It did not. First, Israel held to legitimate military objectives. Second, collective punishment would refer to punishing an entire enemy population within one's own country or in occupation of another. No Lebanese enemy lives in Israel and Israel does not occupy part of Lebanon. As for Israeli use of cluster bombs, themselves not banned, Israel waited until most civilians had fled, so there would be a higher proportion of military casualties from them. "Cluster bombs are a way of killing people while reducing property damage, because the weapons widen the killing zone of an explosion. So on the one hand, these groups accuse Israel of excessive property destruction and even use the property destruction as ’¡Æevidence' of Israeli war crimes of indiscriminate attacks. On the other hand, the same groups say that attacking Hizballah personnel without extensive property destruction is also a war crime." (IMRA, 11/9 from Jer. Center for Public Affairs.) SYRIA TURNING SHIITE Iran is providing services to various Syrian towns, in return for their inhabitants converting to Shia. The Syrian government allows this. Sunnis there are alarmed. Some suggest an alliance with Israel, which would not try to convert them (IMRA, 11/8). When they come down to it, they know that the Jews are trustworthy. The Saudi King suggests an alliance against Iran with Jordan and Israel. The Crown Prince would exclude Israel. The State Dept. prefers him, though he is unreliable. Meanwhile, Saudi family life is falling apart, apparently from luxurious display replacing training in family life (IMRA, 11/8). Why don't they ask Egypt for protection? Egypt has a huge army. Perhaps they remember that Egypt sought to take over the oil-bearing countries, itself. If Iran were defeated, Israel's new Sunni allies would turn on it. ISRAEL & U.S. COOPERATE AGAINST ROADSIDE BOMBS Companies from the two countries are working together to complete a laser that can explode roadside bombs safely (IMRA, 11/8). Roadside bombs are a major source of casualties for the two countries' armies. HOW IRAN PREPARES AGAINST INVASION It announced having trained thousands of suicide bombers to blow up enemy troops or set off mine fields (IMRA, 11/8). Iran could be crippled militarily, according to a strategy I reported. By eliminating it navy, it could not threaten oil shipping lanes. By destroying its missiles, it could not attack distant countries. By bombing its oil refineries, it would not be able to move its ground troops around. A former CIA director proposes shifting to alternative energy, to reduce oil prices that finance jihad. LEBANESE COUNTER-MEASURE During the recent war between Hizbullah and Israel, the IDF went after Hizbullah emplacements in Beirut. In reaction, the Lebanese government plans to install thousands of surveillance cameras there. Soldiers would review the scenes so as to be able to counter-act the IDF advances (IMRA, 11/8). Notice that the government is not disarming Hizbullah to prevent it from starting another war with Israel, but is preparing to help it fight Israeli retaliation. This disproves the basis for the UNO ceasefire, which was to get a big UNIFIL force ready to help the Lebanese Army to disarm Hizbullah. Richard Shulman is a veteran defender of Israel on several web-based forums. His comments and analyses appear often on Think-Israel. He provides cool information and right-on-target overviews. He distributes his essays by email. To subscribe, write him at richardshulman5@aol.com. |
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SEE WHAT SHOCKED GLENN BECK
Posted by Yrachmiel Elias and Ya'akov Golbert, November 28, 2006. |
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Thanks to RadioRote, here are some addenda with links to details about bribery (and that link is only about the Bush family), purchasing of influence, control of media, international banking by the same people who finance international terrorism. No, Grasshopper, it is not the Jews, despite what you and the world has "known" since publication of the infamous forgery, the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion. No, no. Image that! If you want to perpetrate genocide, you have to make people believe they are doing something positively good or at least make people indifferent to wiping those particular people off the face of the earth. That is the role of blood libels. The media, the universities, the whole intellectual establishment and very respectable and substantial segments of the political establishment are all fully complicit in setting up Israel and the Jews for the next Holocaust, God forbid! Rote du vichy wrote:
Bear with me for sending this again. It's a measure of the importance I think it has. The fact that Glenn Beck never saw this stuff before is another proof that what I keep telling you is true: the media are not reporting what is happening. They are purveying imagery that is mainly false and uninformed and follows an unassailable orthodoxy called Political Correctness. Who is in control of what is politically correct? No one even knows whose party line it is. But it is not PC to name Muslims or Islam as the enemy. No, no. That's "Islamophobia" and is one of the scourges of the world. It is not PC to tell the truth about what Islamic leaders say in their sermons or teach in their madrassas or say on their media in their own languages. It is not PC to report on intimidation of the media by Arabs and Muslims or the use by the Saudis of their three trillion dollars invested in US stock markets to intimidate the US government or their ownership of controlling interest in several of the largest 'news' services in the world or their bribery of US officials and diplomats and journalists. That too is Islamophobia. But it IS definitely PC to say that Jews control the media, that the Israeli lobby has too much power, that the war in Iraq is for the benefit of Israel and not the US, that Jewish economic power is being abused to corrupt government all over the world, that Israel is the source of all the rage by Arabs and other Muslims (Die Juden sint unser Ungluck. by any other formulation. That's PC. The result is that Glenn Beck was shocked to see this footage. He had not been informed what is going on. This footage and other similar footage has been around for years. If you have not seen it either, then you are getting your "news" from the local counterpart of Pravda. What are you going to do about it? View what shocked Glenn Beck Yrachmiel Elias and Ya'akov Golbert are co-founders of Netzah Yisrael Lo Yeshaqer. Contact them at golbert@netzahyisrael.org or go to the website: http://netzahyisrael.org |
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WE WENT TO STRENGTHEN AND LEFT STRENGTHENED
Posted by Nadia Matar & Anita Finkelstein, November 28, 2006. |
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A delegation of 14 Women in Green from Jerusalem, Gush Etzion and Beersheva, together with Prof Arieh Zaritzky from Beersheva and Yehudit Katzover from the Loyalists of Eretz Israel went yesterday to pay a shiva call to the Yaakovov family in Sderot, whose father and husband, 43 year old Yaakov HY"D, was killed by a Kassam rocket. Sitting in a big tent on the grass near their house, were Yaakov's sons, one of them 12 year old Hanan who moved us all with his heart wrenching interview on Arutz 7 TV: http://www.inn.co.il/News/News.aspx/156651 -- See below. His brother, Salomon, will be Bar Mitzva in a month. "How will I celebrate my Bar Mitzva without my father?" he asks. A relative of the family comforted him by saying that many people, especially from his father's job, are working on giving him a nice Bar Mitzva celebration at the Kotel. Next to the boys sat their Uncle Zimru, Yaakov's brother. An amazing family! Hearing Zimru made us understand where Hanan's self-confidence and healthy Jewish pride came from. Zimru did not mince his words. "This government has to go. They are a danger to the survival of the State of Israel." Zimru told us that instead of sinking into depression, he wants to use his anger, frustration and mourning, to do all he can to bring down this government, for the sake of all the children of Israel, before more Jews will be killed. His dream is to organize the people of Sderot, wake them up into action, so that they should lead the way to the downfall of this government. He knows it is not an easy task. Zimru knows that many politicians, opportunists, will try to "use" him and thus he is very careful not to hook up with any of them. In fact he told us how his family refused to let any minister come to the funeral. During the shiva, security guards came to the shiva tent and announced that Minister Zippy Livni was outside waiting in her car, asking if they would let her come to pay a shiva call. The family told the guards: "Tell her to get out of here immediately. We do not want to see her." Hearing Hanan and Zimru talking like healthy, proud Jews, reminded us that a very large part of the People of Israel is strong. They love their Land and their Jewish Heritage. The problem is that we are stuck with the most corrupt and dangerous political leaders who are more interested in pleasing Israel's enemies than in protecting the People and the Land of Israel. We gave the Yaakovov boys a book, "Elnakam" by Ezra Yachin. The book recaptures the dedication, self-sacrifice and courage of the Lehi fighters for the freedom of Israel in the forties. On the cover of the book we wrote to Hanan and his brothers: "We went to strengthen and left strengthened. Your impressive interview in the media inspired us all and gave us all strength and hope that soon, please G-d, a new leadership will arise in Israel, a leadership of proud Jews like Hanan and his family, who are a continuation of the proud Jewish heroes described in this book." After the shiva, all 16 of us went to do some "shopping" in the center of Sderot to give the stores there some business. The city was almost a ghost-city. Many stores were closed. One could still see the horrendous damage one Kassam had done when it fell in the center of town, destroying four stores completely and shattering the glass windows of tens of surrounding stores. All the stores had a big poster attached to the front window: "Lehatzil et ha-ir!" (Save our City!). Store owners looked at our group as if we had come from Mars. When we told them we came to do some shopping to show our support, they thanked us profusely. One storeowner, seeing our orange Gush Katif bracelets and ribbons on our purses, admitted to us that she and some other Sderot residents had been in favor of the "Disengagement" plan. "We really thought there would be quiet after that. Now we are paying a heavy price for our naivete." The Yaakovov family on the other hand are not naive. At the shiva, Hanan was giving an interview over the phone. He was asked what he thought about the "cease-fire". Without blinking an eye, Hanan answered: "What cease-fire? Don't you know that what they call 'cease-fire' is simply another word for 're-arming'. They are using this period to reorganize and get more and more lethal weapons. We already had so-called 'cease-fires' in the past, and after each one of them, the attacks on Sderot were even worse." Hanan reminds us of the little boy who screamed: "The emperor has no clothes!" We left Sderot around 2:00 pm. An hour after we left, we heard on the news that two more Kassams had been shot at Sderot. Were these Olmert's so-called "cease-fire Kassams"? |
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"Sderot Orphan: 'If Sderot Goes, the Whole Country Goes'"
Arutz-7 TV's Gabi Newman spoke with 12-year-old Chanan Yaakobov, a pupil in the local religious school, whose father Yaakov was killed by a Kassam rocket six days ago. A video of the moving interview can be seen in both Hebrew and with an English translation. A transcript: Q. ...What was the first thing you thought?
Q. Do you want to continue living here in Sderot?
Q. Why? Why is it important to you?
Q. if the Prime Minister was here now, what would you say to him?
Q. And Amir Peretz, who lives here - what would you say to him.
Asked about the government, Chanan said with great emphasis: [I want] the Defense Minister and Olmert to - to say that they can't do it. They should let Bibi Netanyahu and [Avigdor] Lieberman take their place. [Gesturing emphatically with his hand] They should give up their places in the government! ... If you can do it, then I want to see your answer! I ask of you - and if not, then [eyes welling up] give up your places, but quickly! Quickly! I, the son of Yaakov, I turn to you [with choked voice]: Give up your places in the Knesset! Give them up!" Ambivalence in Sderot Residents are ambivalent about the ceasefire agreed upon yesterday by the Israeli government and PA leaders. "I personally am very happy to have a day in which I don't have to worry about Kassams," says Alon Davidi, who has led much of the local protests against government inaction. "But I know that it's not good for the State of Israel. This arrangement will merely give the terrorists more time to re-arm and prepare for the next round."
Ruth and Nadia Matar established Women For Israel's Tomorrow
(Women in Green), an activist group of women based in Jerusalem. Their
website address is http://www.womeningreen.org
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BUSH TO PURSUE US POLICY REVERSAL ON ISRAEL--CARDS STACKED AGAINST ISRAEL
Posted by Nurit Greenger, November 27, 2006. |
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These days the cards in Washington are stacked against Israel. The USA was let down by the Olmert's strategically weak government and they HAD to move on. Therefore, Bush, who first regarded the Jewish state as the front line on terror, has now braced new cadre of key advisers with new approach to Iraqi policy. These advisers are drawn from the past most known anti-Israeli administrations. The Olmert government, however forthcoming, must brace itself for a period of intensive American pressure to cede ever more assets to curry favor with the Arabs. Knowing Olmert's actions, he is already about to give the house away! Depressing! Israel, wake up! This is from today's DEBKAfile: "Bush to pursue US policy reversal on Israel in bid for Arab help on Iraq -- in his Amman talks Thursday. Brent Scowcroft is new administration policy guru." |
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DEBKAfile: Bush to pursue US policy reversal on Israel in bid for Arab help on Iraq -- in his Amman talks Thursday. Brent Scowcroft is new administration policy guru November 27, 2006, 2:26 PM (GMT+02:00) Hamas was quick to pick up the new tune emanating from Washington. Its leaders and Mahmoud Abbas declared a hurried ceasefire Sunday to take advantage of the US president's willingness to broaden his Amman talks from his planned meetings with Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki to an effort to convene an international conference on the Palestinian issue. Israel's prime minister Ehud Olmert accepted the ceasefire against military advice to capture high ground. Abdullah chipped in by saying that Palestine "is the core" of all Middle East violence. No seasoned observer expects the truce to outlast Bush's departure. "How Iraq and Palestinian Issues Came to Be Twinned in Revised Bush Strategy on Iraq"
One of the most pressing pieces of business the US president George W. Bush must tackle in Amman later this week is the demand for an international conference on Iraq which must be dominated by a built-in agenda on the Palestinian-Israeli dispute. Palestinian leaders, picking up the new tones in Washington, decided to cash in by announcing the cessation of Hamas' Qassam missile attacks on Israeli civilian locations, starting Sunday, Nov. 26. Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert, loath to relinquish the high diplomatic ground to the Palestinians, promised Monday that after the kidnapped Israeli soldier is released, Israel will free many jailed Palestinians, including long term prisoners, as a confidence-building gesture to prove Israel seeks peace. As soon as a Palestinian unity government is formed, Olmert said, immediate negotiations could start with Mahmoud Abbas on the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state. He allowed the evacuation of some West Bank settlements was possible in return for real peace and Palestinian renunciation of the return of 1948 Palestinian refugees. If such talks are successful, Olmert promised to release frozen Palestinian funds. Earlier, Ehud Olmert quickly accepted the Palestinian ceasefire - against the advice of the Israeli military. He ordered the curtailment of an effective IDF anti-missile operation and a complete troop withdrawal from the northern Gaza Strip. This left non-Hamas armed factions free to continue firing and arming while Israeli troops were ordered not to interfere. The ceasefire -- like Olmert's promises - is unlikely to survive long after Bush's departure from the Middle East. Since Sunday, every Palestinian and Israeli verbal pronouncement has been attuned to the wavelengths of Bush and his secretary of state Condoleezza Rice. She will join him in Amman and lead the effort to bring Israeli and Palestinian leaders together. Her mission will be to extract results from these encounters for tempting Arab rulers to lend the United States a helping hand on the Iraq crisis. DEBKA-Net-Weekly disclosed on November 24 that the brain behind this new strategy belongs to Brent Scowcroft, national security adviser to three Republican presidents, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and George Bush Sr. He is emerging as the live wire behind the latest US foreign policy departures and the pivotal figure behind the Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group. This panel - which submits its final report to Congress on Dec. 10 - recommends an international conference on Iraq attended by leaders from Europe, Russia, the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and the main Muslim nations. According to DEBKA-Net-Weekly's Washington sources, such a conference would spend more time on the Palestinian-Israeli issue than on Iraq. The group's leaders predict that Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and other Arab participants will demand "progress on the Israel-Palestinian track" before letting the conference get down to brass tacks on Iraq. To lay the groundwork, therefore, Washington will have to give the international community free rein to squeeze Israel for far-reaching concessions to the Palestinians - and not only the Palestinians, if Syria is to be engaged. This would require a diametric reversal of George Bush's previous warm attitude towards "our friend and ally" Israel, possibly even a reversion to the iciness directed against the Shamir government in the early 1990s by the elder Bush, whom James Baker served as secretary of state and Scowcroft as national security adviser. Earlier this month, Scowcroft, as chairman of the American-Turkish Friendship League, visited Ankara for an appeal to Turkish leaders to persuade the Syrian ruler Bashar Asad to cooperate on Iraq. His mindset was revealed in an interview he gave the Turkish Daily News of Nov. 9, 2006: "I think we need to embed Iraq in a larger regional solution, and that to me goes back to the Palestinian issue. I think this would put us back on the offensive psychologically and even make Iraq easier to manage." Scowcroft then linked this viewpoint to the notion of an international conference, saying: "But I don't think this will start with some kind of a conference because everyone will come with their preset speeches and everything will freeze again. But I think that there will be some quiet consultations in the region. I believe the Arab states in the region are eager for such a conversation. Israel may not be eager, but Israel is in bad shape right now." Scowcroft was therefore the first American strategic thinker to say out loud what DEBKAfile has been reporting since early August, that George Bush and his key advisers have diagnosed Israel as coming out of the Lebanon War weakened and with its strategic situation impaired. The cards in Washington are therefore stacked against Israel these days. An unfortunate combination has emerged of a president who regards the Jewish state as strategically weak and a brace of key US advisers on the administration's new Iraqi policy who are drawn from the most anti-Israeli US administrations of the past. The Olmert government, however forthcoming, must brace itself for a period of intensive American pressure to cede ever more assets to curry favor with the Arabs. Contact the poster at 4nuritg@ca.rr.com |
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LEBANON REFORMIST WEBSITE: HIZBULLAH'S PLANNED BEIRUT MARCH LIKE MUSSOLINI'S ROME MARCH
Posted by Nurit Greenger, November 27, 2006. |
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This comes from MEMRI
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In an editorial posted on the reformist website Middle East Transparent on July 17, 2006, five days after the outbreak of the war in Lebanon, site editor Pierre Akel warned that Hizbullah's ultimate aim was to topple Lebanon's elected government headed by Prime Minister Fuad Al-Siniora. He said that Hizbullah was trying to replace it with a new government that would be favor of Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and would reinstate "Lebanon's vassal relationship with Syria." This, he said, would be the end of Lebanon's democracy and the beginning of a "mullah-cracy," which he argued would spark a new civil war in Lebanon. On October 16, 2006, Akel published a follow-up article, in which he pointed to the accuracy of his earlier predictions. The following are excerpts from the October 16, 2006 article, in the original English:(1) Hizbullah's Ultimate Goal is to Topple Lebanese Democracy "The summer war between Hizbullah and Israel started on July 12, 2006. In an editorial dated July 17, on the Arabic page of Middle East Transparent, I wrote the following: "'For the last few days Hassan Nasrallah and his deputy, Naim Qassem, have been declaring that "it would be better for the Israelis to put an immediate end to the current clashes and to accept the principle of prisoner exchange"! Israel's reaction has been to wage an unrestrained war against Hizbullah and against Lebanese civilian infrastructures alike. Which means that the Israeli reaction has obliged Hizbullah to enter into a decisive battle prematurely... "'Hizbullah's attack should not be [regarded] in the context of the Arab-Israeli struggle. Rather, it should be viewed in the context of internal Lebanese politics... and in the context of Lebanon's relations with Syria and with Iran.' "[I further wrote:] 'What were the aims of Hizbullah's attack [on Israel]...? Was it Hizbullah's intention to merely capture two Israeli soldiers? Or was the real intention to start a coup d'état... which would allow it, in the end, to seize power in Lebanon itself ? "'Does Hizbullah's plan (which shall certainly make use of the "nationalistic" and "Islamic" prestige of a successful attack against the Israeli forces) include a "march on Beirut" with the aim of toppling the elected Siniora government [using] a mixture of [military] and political pressure, aided by President Emile Lahoud, who would sign a "decree" ending the mandate of the present government and replacing it with a new pro-Lahoud government that would reestablish Lebanon's vassal relationship with Syria, noting that Syria itself has entered into the Iranian orbit lately?'" A Hizbullah Coup Against Al-Siniora's Government Will Be the Beginning of a "Mullah-cracy" in Lebanon "And finally, [I wrote]: 'Was [this] "Fascist Scenario" - [which is] a repetition of Mussolini's March on Rome - the scenario adopted by Nasrallah and his Syrian and Iranian partners?... If Hizbullah's coup d'état is realized, then it will, in reality, be a coup d'état against the 1943 Convention (which was the basis of Lebanon's independence) and against the "Taif Accord" (which put an end to the Civil War). [This] amounts to saying that it would be a coup d'état against the liberal democratic regime and the starting point of a "mullah-cracy" in Lebanon. Such a "mullah-cracy" will [surely] spark a new civil war and [lead] to the division of Lebanon into [ethnic] mini-states.' "That article, written five days from the start of heavy Israeli raids all over Lebanon [sparked] controversy. Many pseudo-liberals and pseudo-progressives rejected its 'pessimistic' analysis and expressed their dismay, in particular, at the use of the term 'fascist' to describe Hassan Nasrallah. Inevitably, there [also] had to be some pseudo-Marxists [who] pointed out that Fascism was a "European phenomenon of the 1930s" which could not recur in a totally different, Lebanese context! "Five months later, this pessimistic scenario is unfortunately proving to be true, to the letter. The Hizbullah and Amal ministers left the Lebanese government when the ruling majority [refused to] accept their 'ultimatum', [namely, that] Hizbullah and its allies [must receive] 'one third of [the cabinet]' - which means [giving] a minority [i.e. Hizbullah and Amal] a veto power over all government decisions... "When the Lebanese government went ahead to approve the U.N. International Court proposal for Lebanon (regarding the Al-Hariri assassination case), the Syrian-appointed President Lahoud declared that the Siniora government has become illegitimate, since the Shi'ites are no longer represented in it. "Now, Nasrallah is giving his supporters 'assurances' that a 'clean government' will soon be established... Yesterday, Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei predicted that U.S. Imperialism will be defeated in Lebanon! "The background to the [current] Hizbullah-Syria-Iran offensive is easy to guess: the defeat of the Republicans in the recent U.S. elections and the possible withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. [In this situation], the anti-Hizbullah forces in Lebanon are in a less advantageous position, but certainly not in a desperate position. Remember, on March 8, 2005, Nasrallah rallied 300,000 supporters in the center of Beirut [when he] declared his loyalty to the Syrian dictator. At the time, 30,000 Syrian soldiers were still occupying the country. Yet six days later... more than one million Lebanese marched on Beirut to crush Hizbullah's attempt to keep the country under [Syrian] occupation. "It seems that Hassan Nasrallah's party is ready to play all its cards in its [thinly] disguised coup d'état. Hizbullah claims to have more than 20,000 missiles and thousands of Iranian-trained fighters. It has been strengthened by its alliance with General Michel Aoun, who seems ready to sacrifice the republic [in order to become] president. [Yet] the inherent weakness of Nasrallah's position is still there... "Even if the U.S. forces leave Iraq, the Lebanese majority has only one option: to resist Hizbullah's fascist coup d'état and... to win. For a people which is still suffering from the consequences of 30 years of civil war and foreign occupations, the novelty is that a large majority of the Lebanese has come to believe in a civil, unarmed struggle. The Lebanese majority does not want to go back to the black days of bloodshed and destruction. That is the real challenge for the people of Lebanon and for the region." Endnote: (1) http://www.metransparent.com/texts/pierre_akel/pierre_akel_hassan_nasrallah_s_planned_coup_d_etat_fascist_style.htm. The text has been lightly edited for clarity. Contact the poster at 4nuritg@ca.rr.com |
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JAMES BAKER, WHO?
Posted by Jerome S. Kaufman, November 27, 2006. |
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The man who has come to rescue U.S. policy in Iraq is actually the man who rescued Saddam Hussein twice. This was written by Martin Peretz, who is editor-in-chief of the New Republic and it appeared in the New Republic. |
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The man who has come to rescue U.S. policy in Iraq is actually the man who rescued Saddam Hussein twice. The first time came early during the presidency of George Bush, Sr. It was James Baker who was in charge, tending Saddam's wounds and building up his arms. At that moment, the Baath dictatorship was still reeling from its brutal eight-year war with Iran, a conflict that presaged the uncivil strife occurring in Mesopotamia now. The second time was toward the close of the first Bush presidency, and Baker was still in charge. Iraq had been forced back from the invasion of a country it had intended to annex. The logic of the victory should have suggested unseating the aggressor--a man at once reckless and conniving, hated by (most of) his countrymen and feared by (all of) his neighbors. But that logic never penetrated the victors, who maintained Saddam in Baghdad with the goal of keeping him on a tight rope and constraining his economy by a regime of sanctions. Such a regime has rarely worked. He turned out to be especially adept at manipulating it against his longtime domestic victims and for his sectarian, familial, and geographical allies. This suffering was neither here nor there for the especially visible members of the coalition that had defeated him. Arab solidarity does not cut across doctrinal lines. This was only one reason why pan-Arabism turned out to be a roaring tiger but one without teeth. The primary consideration of Saudi Arabia, for example, was that a Sunni government of one sort or another--like the ones that had been in place since Gertrude Bell (the T.E. Lawrence of the north) installed the Emir Faisal as king in Baghdad 70 years earlier--not be displaced. This meant a permanent minority was to be in power. And, if history was an accurate predictor, it would be a brutal minority at that. A neighboring Shia state would be an enormous discomfort for the royals in Riyadh. I don't want to be cavalier about this, since, to say the least, nationhood is not a fully matured notion among the Arabs. And, if I were a responsible Saudi official, I, too, would worry greatly if adjacent Iraq became an official Shia state, especially given how the Shia minority fared under Sunni rule of the Arabian peninsula. Almost uncannily, Baker's instincts and convictions meshed (and mesh still) with the House of Saud. Forgive me for appearing like a Marxist--a vulgar Marxist, no less. But the Carlyle Group of which Baker has been a top factotum is much at home with the Sunni princely and investor dynasty. Their compatibility is almost primordial--and also very practical. Let's face it: The Baker-Hamilton Commission is a desperate rescue operation for the Iraqi Sunnis. George W. Bush has gotten us all into trouble, and he will now be taken to the woodshed by his father's faithful but resentful lieutenant. George W. never really liked Baker. (But who actually does?) The president might even muse to himself that, had Baker--and his dad--not saved Saddam 15 years ago, he would not have had the chore to do for himself. He probably wouldn't relish the irony of reading a speech by then-Senator Al Gore on September 29, 1992, lambasting the first Bush administration--and Baker, in particular--for leaving the despot-aggressor in power. Michael Kinsley has written a characteristically hilarious and insightful column in Slate, "bake me a cake, baker man: why the baker commission won't fix iraq." It focuses on the predictably "blue-ribbon" members of this gathering of senior citizens. Or, as Mike writes, "This is one torch that has not been passed to a new generation, although former Virginia senator and presidential son-in-law Charles Robb (age 67) is a fresh face in the pool of Washington Wise Men." But perhaps he forgot that, aside from Baker, two other members of the commission have sins to atone for with regard to Saddam as well: Larry Eagleburger and Alan Simpson, who, in April 1990, lectured the "haughty and pampered" Western press that dared report Baathist abuses. And what, by the way, is Vernon Jordan doing on this particular commission of sages? The truth is that commissioners rarely do the real work of the commission. That is done by its subalterns. It is true that this group is numerous and various. But several names ring alarms: Chas Freeman, Shibley Telhami, William Quandt, Phebe Marr, Marina Ottaway, Augustus Richard Norton--all fading apologists for the exhausted Sunni solution to everything. What I fear is that the thrust of the moment is to restore as much of the old orthodoxies as possible. They haven't worked for more than two decades, even as superficially as they did before, when resentments were festering not only among the Shia, but among ever more pious--and, yes, fanatical--Sunnis as well. Their ranks, too, are swelling. Sorry! Give George W. Bush his due. He took down the Taliban. And he also took down the savage Caesar. These are achievements. What he did not grasp--and what, for that matter, Baker and those for whom he speaks also do not grasp--is the sheer and relentless butchery of which both Sunni and Shia are capable. The fiendish barbarism of decapitated heads and mutilated bodies is now a reflex of the warriors and nothing exceptional, a commonplace. Even the bare rudiments of civilization will not soon come back to the banks of the Tigris and the Euphrates. So what is to be done? Inevitably, Baker will deploy the only trick he knows: force Israel to retreat to the 1967 lines. OK, it can't be forced. Then at least hold a peace conference. The 1991 peace conference actually accomplished nothing, except to pay Bush-Baker's debt to their partners in the Kuwait coalition. And the Oslo accords--also nothing. In any case, although many people believe a resolution of the Palestine question is the key to everything, it is actually a key to nothing but itself. It would not affect the bloodshed in Iraq. It would not even affect the strife in Lebanon. It also would not calm the anxieties of the Saudi monarchy. Or the clamor for freedom in Egypt. Well, if a peace settlement doesn't douse these fires, another blue-ribbon panel surely will rise to the challenge. Jerome S. Kaufman is National Secretary of the Zionist Organization of America. and host the Israel Commentary website (http://www.israel-commentary.org). |
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AUSTRALIAN PUBLISHER NIXES BOOK OVER MUSLIM SENSITIVITIES
Posted by Hillel Fendel, November 27, 2006. |
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Scholastic Australia, a publisher of books for children and youth, has refused to publish a book it commissioned - because the villains are Muslim terrorists. Australia's national daily The Australian reports that Scholastic pulled the plug on a book by award-winning novelist John Dale after booksellers and librarians said they would not stock the adventure thriller. Andrew Berkhut, a Scholastic general manager, said the company had canvassed "a broad range of booksellers and library suppliers," who expressed concern that the book featured a Muslim terrorist. "They all said they would not stock it," he said. Scholastic Australia is part of Scholastic Inc., the largest publisher and distributor of books, magazines, educational and multimedia materials for children in the world. Scholastic Australia's website says it "has a strong commitment to children and education" and that it "believes that children and educators deserve the best - access to the highest-quality literature and learning materials from Australia and throughout the world." Yet Dale's book, "Army of the Pure," was canceled because of its content - despite its fulfillment of all other Scholastic criteria. "There are no guns, no bad language, no sex, no drugs, no violence that is seen or on the page," Dale said, but "because two characters are Arabic-speaking and the plot involves a mujaheedin extremist group," Scholastic's decision is based "100 per cent [on] the Muslim issue." Dale said the decision was "disturbing because it's the book's content they are censoring." In March 2004, The Australian reported, Scholastic commissioned Dale to deliver "a tough, snappy thriller" that would cause young readers to "break out in sweats and their eyes to bulge without giving them actual nightmares." Scholastic later described Dale's writing as "almost flawless." Dale is the director of the Centre for New Writing at the University of Technology. Scholastic also said that the story about four children chased by Afghan terrorists after discovering a plot to blow up Sydney's Lucas Heights nuclear reactor was a "gripping page-turner." Dale's agent, Lyn Tranter, branded the move to withdraw the book a "gutless" publishing decision. The Australian notes that the decision clashes with the recent publication in Australia of two books that attack the struggle against Muslim terrorism: Richard Flanagan's bestselling "The Unknown Terrorist," which is dedicated to David Hicks, a Westerner who was imprisoned after fighting side-by-side with the Taliban, and Andrew McGahan's "Underground," in which terrorists are portrayed as victims driven to extreme acts by the West's extreme struggle against Muslim terror. The WesternResistance.com site opines, "It seems that despite the world in which today's children are growing up, where Muslim terrorists seem hell-bent on causing widespread publicity through acts of terror, politically-correct libraries and booksellers would rather delude everyone with the lie that there is no such thing as Muslim terrorism." Hillel Fendel is Senior News Editor for Israel National News. |
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WHAT THE ISLAMISTS HAVE LEARNED: HOW TO DEFEAT THE USA IN FUTURE WARS
Posted by Michael Travis, November 27, 2006. |
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This was written by Michael Novak, who is George Frederick Jewett Scholar in Religion, Philosophy, and Public Policy at the American Enterprise Institute.This appeared in the Weekly Standard yesterday. |
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If I were an Islamist, a terrorist, a sworn foe of democracy, here is what I think I would have learned from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is what I would write down in my hard-earned manual of instruction. BY THE WILL OF ALLAH, in all wars to come, may it prepare our brave martyrs for combat operations! Today, the purpose of war is sharply political, not military; psychological, not physical. The main purpose of war is to dominate the way the enemy imagines and thinks about the war. Warfare is not, these days, won on a grand field of battle. Nor is it won by the force that wins series after series of military victories. Nor is triumph assured by killing far higher numbers of the enemy. The physical side of warfare no longer holds precedence. The primary battlefield today lies in the minds of opposing publics. The main strategic aim of war today is to dominate the mind of the enemy's public, and then ultimately to dominate the mind of that public's leaders. Let me offer three examples. At what moment did the war in Vietnam come to an end? At that precise moment when America's leaders decided that they could not resist the unrelenting storyline of the enemy, which had long prevailed in their own press. The press surrendered first, then the leaders of the nation. Observe that the Cold War ended not in an explosion of unprecedented violence, but rather at the precise moment when the Soviet elites no longer believed their own storyline. Superior ideas cowed them, superior will, superior narratives. Quite suddenly, the invincible Soviet elites folded, accepted humiliation, allowed the Wall to come down, and watched in bitterness as hundreds of millions of formerly captive peoples chose new forms of government. The endgame was psychological, not military. There was a military component--Star Wars--but nobody knew whether or not that would ever work. It was the idea of that weapon, and will for Reagan to proceed with it. The weaker political will yielded to the stronger will. Yet, as always, will followed storyline. First comes narrative, then the acts that give it flesh in history. What we have discovered in Iraq is the weakest link in the ability of the United States to sustain military operations overseas. That link is the U.S. media. They are Islamists' best friends. Experience shows that the mainstream press of the United States is alienated from the U.S. military. In addition, the American press is extremely vulnerable to anti-U.S. propaganda. Thus, the American public will be fed nearly everything that foreign adversaries--our band of brothers--wish to feed it about the war. Therefore, I write: Maxim # 1: To defeat America, impose upon the imagination of its media your own storyline. Even if you can muster only 10,000 soldiers over the entire countryside of Iraq, paint the narrative like this: The Americans are irresistible occupiers, and yet they cannot prevent small (even individual) acts of destruction. Daily, unrelenting acts of destruction demonstrate that chaos rules. The American strategy, and the American storyline of the war, are invalidated by continuing chaos, highly visible, every single day, on worldwide television. The new dominating story is that the Americans cannot win. Even though our own forces (for nearly two whole years now) can no longer afford to fight in a single operation lasting longer than a few hours, our martyr-brothers cannot be prevented from committing daily acts of destruction--the more stomach-turning the better--which demonstrate a ferocious will and a determination to destroy. In such wars, my brothers, whichever party maintains the stronger will, along the most durable storyline, always wins. To defeat the United States, then, it suffices to demonstrate that their vaunted military, for all its awesome power and tactical bravery in the field, cannot halt daily "chaos." To achieve this victory over America, it is not even necessary to create actual "chaos," but only its appearance. This definition of chaos cannot be made on cerebral, analytic, statistical, or comparative grounds. (In October the Times of London reported, "An average of 112 cars a day have been torched across France" this year, with 15 attacks a day on police and emergency services and nearly 3,000 police officers injured. We don't need comparisons like this or comparisons with traffic deaths and violent crimes in individual U.S. states.) No, the shadowy existence of this "chaos" in Iraq is projected by a steady stream of stomach-churning, atavistic, destructive acts, staged day by day where the cameras of the U.S. press cannot resist them. Some of these acts bring orange explosions and black smoke, others consist simply of dumping dead and tortured bodies where the public cannot avoid discovering them. We design these images to show that our fighters will go where the United States will not, that our brave martyrs have harder linings in their stomachs than anyone in the West, and that our ferocity and determination, day after day, cannot be resisted. The aim of our terror is to induce surrender before the great battles are even fought. This is the true meaning of "asymmetric" warfare. The weaker side in military strength may demonstrate conclusively that it has a stronger stomach for relentless, unstoppable acts of terror. Besides, brothers, there seems to be a psychological tic in the minds of American journalists, which prevents them from understanding that our terror is ultimately aimed at them. Today, yes, they think it is aimed at their government, and will cripple their political opponents within that government. Without qualm or fear, therefore, they do our bidding day after day. Willingly, gleefully, with much self-congratulation, they pump our storyline into the bloodstream of the Western public. This is far easier than anyone ever taught us. This is our new discovery, our contribution to the history of warfare. Before our very eyes, the West grows fainter and weaker every day. Maxim # 2: Take heart, then, my terrorist brothers! Bin Laden is even more correct than we knew before the last two years. The West does not have the will to resist. Those elites among them who do have the stomach to fight back, inexorably, day after day, are being undermined by their own media. Now and in the future, the media will do our work. All we need are martyrs sufficient in number to keep a steady stream of orange flames and black smoke before their cameras, and to dump before them bodies that are stone-cold dead, and bear all over them the unmistakable blue marks of power drills and other disfigurements. Of such martyrs, we need each day only a handful. In 365 successive days, we need fewer than one thousand. This small band of brothers can defeat the most powerful army in human history. The path, my brothers, is to come to dominate the minds of their public, which they must suppose is supporting them, and in reality turns quite quickly into our best ally. This is not so huge a task, my brothers! In the long run of glorious history, the time required is like the blinking of an eye. Contact the poster at michaelmgr@gmail.com |
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HANUKKAH - WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Posted by Michael Travis, November 27, 2006. |
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Hanukkah is almost upon us and my experience last year at the home of Giants pitcher Rod Beck has made me realise that the meaning of the holiday has become distorted and in urgent need of clarification. The Jewish "Festival of Lights" is not about dancing around Jewish Christmas trees, or giving to the anti-Semitic, terrorist-enabling UNICEF. Far from it. Hanukkah is ALL about the Jewish people rising ARMED to defend their families, friends, country, and their FAITH. In these turbulent times it is important to remember the true meaning of Hanukkah and not allow ourselves to be deceived by some Liberal, Politically Correct re-working of Jewish history and traditions. Jews have been commanded by G_d to defend their Communities and their Faith. The Faithful at B'nai Elim, like the Maccabees, follow G_d's commandments. This next essay is called "The Revolt of the Maccabees" by Rabbi Ken Spiro. |
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The Jewish revolt against the Greeks sets a precedent in human history - it becomes the world's first religious war. We know the details of the Jewish fight against the Greeks and Hellenism from the two Books of the Maccabees. (These chronicles are not included in the Hebrew Bible because, as we learned in Part 26, the Men of the Great Assembly had decided many years earlier what the Hebrew Bible should consist of and these events occurred much later in time. The Books of the Maccabees, which were probably written by a Hasmonean chronicler, who was certainly not a prophet, can be found in a collection called Sefer HaChitzonim which also contains other writings left out of the Hebrew Bible and which are mentioned or quoted in the Talmud.) This revolt of the Jews sets a precedent in human history. It is the world's first ideological/religious war. No one in the ancient world died for their gods; only the Jews thought that their religion - the only monotheistic religion at the time - was worth dying for. But (as we saw in Part 28), it is not just a war against the Greeks, it is also a civil war - Jews, who were loyal to Judaism, fighting other Jews, who had become Hellenized and who were siding with the Greeks. The year is 167 BCE and the horrible persecution of Judaism by the Greeks is in full swing. The Greek troops show up in the town of Modi'in (a site west of Jerusalem which you can visit today off the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway) and demand that the Jews there sacrifice a pig to the Greek gods. The elder of the town, Mattathias, who is a cohen, that is of the priestly class, refuses. But there is a Hellenized Jew in the town who is willing to do what is unspeakable in Jewish eyes. As he's about to sacrifice the pig, Mattathias stabs him, also killing the Greek official present. He then turns to the crowd and announces: "Follow me, all of you who are for God's law and stand by the covenant." (1 Maccabees 2:27) Those who join Mattathias and his five sons - named Judah, Elazar, Yohanan, Yonaton and Shimon - head for the hills, expecting that the Greeks are going to come back and wipe out the whole village as a reprisal. In the hills, they organize a guerilla army, led primarily by the oldest of the sons named Judah, nicknamed Maccabee, which means "the Hammer." Maccabee is also an acronym for mi komocho ba'alim Hashem, "who is like you among the powers O God," - the battle cry of the Jewish people. We don't know exactly how large this Maccabee army was, but even the most optimistic estimates put the number at no more than 12,000 men. This tiny force takes on the fighting Greek army of up to 40,000 men. It's not just a numerical superiority the Greeks have. The Greeks are professional soldiers - they have equipment, they have training, and they have a herd of war elephants, which were the tanks of the ancient world. The Jews are vastly outnumbered, poorly trained, and poorly equipped (not to mention, they have no elephants), but what they lack in training and equipment they make up in spirit. Most of the battles take place in the foothills leading from the coastal plain area (Tel Aviv) to Jerusalem. The Greeks are trying to march their armies up the natural canyons that lead into the mountain areas, the stronghold of the Jewish army. There's only a few places where the Greeks can ascend and this is where the Maccabees choose to take them on. Now when we read the story of the Maccabees it seems like it's something that takes place over a few weeks - the battles take place, the Jews win, and the Greeks go home. But, in fact, it takes 25 years of fighting and a great many casualties on both sides. CHANUKAH After the first three years, the Jews are able re-conquer Jerusalem. They find the Temple defiled and turned into a pagan sanctuary, where pigs are sacrificed on the altar. When they re-enter the Temple, the first thing they do is try to light a make-shift menorah (as the real gold one had been melted down by the Greeks) but only one vial of pure lamp oil with the special seal is discovered. They use this vial to light the menorah and miraculously it stays lit for eight days, by which time fresh pure oil has been pressed and delivered to the Temple. The Maccabees then purify the Temple and rededicate it on the 25th of Kislev, which is the date on the Hebrew calendar when we begin to celebrate the eight days of Chanukah. (The Hebrew word Chanukah means "dedication" or "inauguration.") Chanukah - one of two holidays added to the Jewish calendar by the rabbis - celebrates two kinds of miracles: 1) the military victory of the vastly outnumbered Jews against the Greeks; and 2) the spiritual victory of Jewish values over those of the Greek. It is this spiritual victory which is symbolized by the lights of Chanukah. The rededication of the Temple does not end the fight however. Unfortunately, some of the Hellenized Jews are not happy that the Maccabees took over Jerusalem, and they join forces with the Greeks and the fight continues. It's not until 142 BCE, during the reign of Seleucid monarch Demitrius, that the Greeks finally have enough of the fighting and sign a peace treaty with Simon, the last survivor of the five sons of Mattathias. In [that] year, Israel was released from the gentile yoke; the people began to write on their contracts and agreements: "In the first year of Simon, the great High Priest, general and leader of the Jews." (1 Maccabees 13:41-42) Thus Jewish sovereignty over the Land of Israel is officially restored. For the Kids! CHANUKAH Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is observed for eight days, beginning on the evening of the twenty fifth day of the month of Kislev. This year, (2006), Chanukah starts at sundown, Friday, December 15th, and lasts for eight days thru Shabbat, December 23rd. Please see special instructions below for Friday and Saturday Menorah candle lightings. Chanukah is a wonderful holiday of renewed dedication, faith, hope and spiritual light. It's a holiday that says: "Never lose hope." Chanukah commemorates the victory, thru the miracles of Hashem, of a small band of Maccabees over the pagan Syrian-Greeks who ruled over Eretz Yisroel (Israel). WHAT DOES CHANUKAH MEAN? DEDICATIONS Chanukah has two meanings. First, and foremost, it means "dedication" because it was on Chanukah that the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple) was purified and rededicated to the service of Hashem, in 165 BCE, after many years of pagan defilement. Chanukah is also called "The Festival of Lights" referring to the flames kindled on each night. It is also called "The Festival of Light" as Chanukah is the victory of the forces of "light" - which include faith and loyalty to Hashem and the Jewish tradition and the will to fight for these beliefs - over the forces of "darkness," represented by the hedonistic lifestyle of the ancient Syrian-Greeks. THE MIRACLE(S) OF CHANUKAH The year was about 165 BCE. A large group of men led by Judah the Maccabee climbed to the top of a mountain overlooking Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). It was the same mountain from which, many centuries later, the Crusaders would launch their attack against the Moslems and from which, the Jordanian artillery would shell Yerushalayim in 1967. In 165 BCE, however, Judah and his men, with the help of Hashem, were about to complete a great victory, a triumph that lives on as the miracle of Chanukah. After the death of Alexander the Great, conqueror of the world and friend of the Jewish people, his Empire was divided among his generals. Eretz Yisroel (the land of Israel), - the Kingdom of Judea - was added to the Empire of Antiochus III. When Antiochus Epiphanes became king of the Syrian-Greeks, he was not content to accept the taxes and loyalty of the Jews as his predecessors had done. He wanted the Jews to lay aside their Torah and ancient religion, and, in their place, substitute the Hellenistic Greek culture and Grecian idols. King Antiochus bore down on his Jewish subjects with a measure of
ruthlessness, stubbornness and cruelty that earned him the nickname
Antiochus the Madman. (For a related story of bravery and courage
about Chana & her Seven Sons, go to Jews who dared to remain loyal to their faith were brutally tortured and murdered. If a woman had her infant circumcised, she was murdered, the baby publicly hanged, and all who participated in the Brit ceremony were executed and their property confiscated. Against this backdrop, Jewish resistance began to ebb and it seemed inevitable that the last remnants of resistance would soon be wiped out. Then, one courageous old man turned the tide. His name was Mattisyahu and he was a Kohain - head of the Hasmonean family, from the Judean town of Modi'in near Lod. The Syrian-Greek governor of Mattisyahu's region set up an idol in Modi'in, rounded up the townspeople, and introduced an "enlightened" Jew who would sacrifice a pig on the idol in recognition of the decree of Antiochus. Old Mattisyahu stepped forward and slew the traitor. With the rallying cry of, Mi Laï Hashem Ay-li (Whoever is for Hashem, let him come to me)," he called the people to rebellion. A pitifully small number responded at first - the people were numb with fear and hopelessness - but Mattisyahu's five sons led the way. They fought the Syrian-Greeks, retreated to the mountains, and began a guerrilla war against the Syrian-Greeks and their Jewish allies. Mattisyahu had not long to live, but on his death bed he charged his sons to carry on the struggle. The glorious brothers heeded his command. He passed on the leadership to his second son, Judah the Maccabee, who was a mighty warrior and a charismatic leader. Many miracles happened. Outnumbered a hundred to one, Judah and his men won many battles. Jews came to join him. In a few years, he had defeated the mightiest armies of Syria. Victory belonged to the Jew, the pure, the righteous, the loyal defender of the Torah. Following the rebellion, the kingdom of Israel was restored for 200 years, until the destruction of the Second Beit Hamikdash. So it was that Judah and his men climbed the mountain above Yerushalayim and saw that there was no resistance. On the twenty fifth day of Kislev, they marched into the Holy City and immediately made their way to the Beit Hamikdash where they saw a sight that left them shocked and angered. Idols, filth, impurity were everywhere. They rummaged through the ruins seeking at least one flask of pure olive oil with which to light the makeshift menorah they hastily put together. Flask after flask they found - every one of them defiled. Finally - another miracle! One small jug, sufficient for only one day, remained with the seal of the Kohain Gadol intact! Quickly, with trembling hands, they poured it into the menorah and lit it. It would be eight days before they could manufacture more oil for the next lighting, but meanwhile, they lit what they had. The flames of the menorah burned and burned and burned and burned and burned and burned and burned and burned. For eight days they burned. (I bet you counted). Those eight miraculous days were chosen as the eternal symbol to commemorate the miracle of Chanukah - the eight day long Festival of Lights, where we light the Menorah each evening, publicizing the miracle Hashem performed some 2000 years ago. WHY EIGHT DAYS? The question then arises, since the oil was adequate for one night, only seven days were miraculous. Why, then, wasn't Chanukah made a seven day festival? Many answers have been given over the years. Here are a few: * One extra day of celebration was proclaimed to commemorate the miracle of the military victory. LIGHTING THE MENORAH NOTE: This is just a very basic introduction. A competent authority should be consulted with any questions. The Menorah (or Hanukkiya in Hebrew), that we use today, is a nine-branch candelabra. On each night one more candle is added and lit, beginning with one candle on the first night of Chanukah and ending with the eighth on the final evening. The ninth branch is reserved for the shamash, the servant light, which is lit first and used to kindle the other lights of the Menorah. The candles of a menorah must be of equal height in a straight row. The shamash, should stand out from the rest (i.e. higher or lower). The best time to light the Chanukah candles is at nightfall. The whole family and guests should be present. Young children should also be encouraged to light the candles. Students and singles who live in dormitories or their own apartments should kindle menorahs in their own rooms. If someone can't be home by nightfall, we may light as long as people are still up and about - either at home or out of doors. On Friday afternoon, the Chanukah lights (which will burn until 1/2 hour after nightfall) are kindled BEFORE the Shabbat candles are lit. Saturday night, AFTER Shabbat ends, the Chanukah lights for Saturday night are lit. See below. The miracle of Chanukah, of course, involved pure olive oil and that's why it is preferable to kindle the Chanukah lights with cotton wicks and olive oil. Candles are perfectly all right, however. Many people prefer them because they give a steady, clean flame. The generally accepted custom is to place the menorah at a window so that it can be seen from the street. This is because we are required to proclaim the miracle publicly by means of the lights. Or, the menorah may be placed on the left side of a doorway opposite the mezuzah on the right side, so that we may be surrounded by mitzvot as we light the menorah. (such is the custom of Chabad-Lubavitch). The lights must burn for at least half an hour into the night,
(after nightfall), during which time no use may be made of the light.
The standard small colored Chanukah candles will burn long enough, but
- a word of caution - during the last few days of Chanukah when many
candles are lit, if the family menorahs are too close together, the
intense heat will cause the candies to burn down in less time. For
some Chanukah safety tips, go to
THE BRACHOT - BLESSINGS On the first night of Chanukah, Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, three
Brachot (blessings) are said. (For the Brachot, go to The first day -- candle is placed at the far right side of the menorah. On each succeeding day, an additional candle is placed to the previous night's candle's left. The lighting is done from left to right, in other words, the new candle of each night is lit before the old one(s). Light the shamash (extra candle) first. Then use the shamash to light the candles from left to right. SPECIAL SHABBAT REQUIREMENTS FOR 2006 This year, (Friday, December 15th, and Friday, December 22, 2006 ), the Chanukah Lights should be kindled early, BEFORE the Shabbat Lights (which are lit 18 minutes before sundown). Additional oil or larger candles should be used for the Chanukah Lights to ensure that they will last a full half hour after nightfall. Note: From the time the Shabbat candles are lit (Friday evening) until Shabbat ends (after nightfall Saturday night) and the Havdalah prayer (separating Shabbat from weekday) is recited, the Chanukah menorah should not be re-lit, moved or prepared. Chanukah lights for Saturday night, Dec.16th, are kindled AFTER Shabbat ends (after nightfall). HANEIROT HALOLU (THESE LIGHTS) After kindling the first candle (and on the second and later nights) while the others are being lit, this simple prayer is recited. It declares that we kindle these lights in memory of the miracles Hashem performed "in those days at this season," through the brave priestly family of Mattisyahu. It concludes by declaring that all through the eight days of Chanukah, the lights are holy - and are not to be used as a light source; only to be seen as an expression of gratitude and praise to Hashem for his miracles. One should not benefit from the light of the candles, only from the shamash and other sources of light. During the time the candles are burning, it is customary to sit by the candles, sing songs and tell stories relating to the holiday. Work should not be done in the proximity of the burning candles. MAOZ TZUR- A SONG OF HOPE AND COURAGE Maoz Tzur is the universal song of Chanukah. It traces eras of oppression - Egypt, Babylon, Haman, the Syrian-Greeks, the nineteen centuries since the Second Beit Hamikdash was destroyed and praises Hashem for redeeming Bnei Yisroel after each of them. A song of hope, it fills Jews with the courage to face the future and stresses the desire to a return of the Beit Hamikdash and the coming of Moshiach, Bimheira Beyomainu, (May it happen speedily in our days), Amen. AL HANISSIM Al Hanissim is a passage that is added on the days of Chanukah and Purim to the Birchat Hamazon (Grace after Meals) and Shmoneh Esrei (the Amidah - Silent Prayer) for morning, afternoon, and evening. It starts by expressing thanks to Hashem for the miracles of Chanukah and Purim. Then follows a section that is said on each specific holiday with details of the respective miracle that occurred on that holiday. Al Hanissim makes no mention of the miracle of the oil, per se. (The Talmud, Tractate Shabbat 21b, does however put emphasis on this miracle). Al Hanissim, focuses on both the physical and spiritual victories of the small band of Jews over the Syrian-Greek oppressors, and the guardian role of Hashem in the history of the Jews. Al Hanissim refers to the miracles that occurred "bayamim hahem bazman hazeh, (in those days, at this time)." Some say that it only refers to the miracles Hashem performed for our ancestors; others say that it also contains a large element of praise for the countless hidden miracles that Hashem performs for us every day. OTHER PRAYERS During the eight days of Chanukah, the entire Hallel (Psalms of praise taken from the Psalms of David), is recited every day in the Shacharit (morning) prayers. In addition, there is a special reading from the Torah Scroll each morning in the synagogue. The readings recall the offerings of the Nesiyim (Princes), heads of the Tribes of the Bnei Yisroel, during the inauguration of the Mishkan. WHO HAS A SPECIAL STAKE IN CHANUKAH? WOMEN! It is customary that women do no housework for the first half hour that the Chanukah lights are burning. Why? First of all because the Syrian-Greeks mistreated Jewish women systematically thru their vicious laws. Secondly, because a major figure in the victory was a Jewish woman named Yehudit, (Judith). She won the confidence of the Syrian-Greek general Halifornus. Then, after making him sleepy with wine and cheese, she decapitated him. When she hung his head out the window, the Syrian-Greek army was demoralized and the Jewish victory was greatly facilitated. THE DREIDEL The dreidel was introduced as a special treat for children. During the long winter nights of Chanukah they are given a respite from their studies and given this special Chanukah toy with which to wile away the time. The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top, also called a "s'vivon," in Hebrew. It is traditionally used to play a lively Chanukah game. The dreidel has on it's four sides, letters that tell the Chanukah message: a great miracle happened there - as if to say, "Play children, enjoy your beautiful gifts and your even more beautiful holiday. But remember, it was given us as a miracle by Hashem, our Creator and we will show our gratitude with renewed dedication to Him. "In Eretz Yisroel (Israel), the dreidel bears the letters Nun, Gimel Hay, and Pay standing for "Nes Gadol Hayah Po", a great miracle happened here. In the diaspora, (around the world), however, the dreidel says the letters Nun, Gimel Hay, and Shin meaning "Nes Gadol Hayah Shom", a great miracle happened there (in Eretz Yisroel). So even the dreidel is no idle toy. As it spins, it delivers a message. HOW TO PLAY DREIDEL Go To http://www.Torahtots.Com/holidays/chanuka/dreidel.htm to play to play spin the dreidel The dreidel is no idle toy. As it spins, it delivers a message. Each player places some dollars, quarters, dimes, or would you believe pennies, candies, raisins, or nuts into a kitty, and each player takes a turn spinning the dreidel. "Nun" means nothing, you win nothing, you lose nothing. "Gimel" means you take the whole kitty. "Hay" means you win half of what's in the kitty. "Shin" (or in Israel - "Pay") means "put in" - you lose, and must put one ...more into the kitty. THE ORIGIN OF THE DREIDEL The Syrian-Greeks decreed that the teaching or studying of Torah was a crime punishable by death or imprisonment. But the children defiantly studied in secret; and when Syrian-Greek patrols were spotted, they would pretend to be playing an innocent game of dreidel. CHANUKAH GELT On Chanukah, it is traditional to give all children Chanukah gelt (money) and/or presents. Of course, this beautiful custom adds to the children's happiness and festive spirit. In addition, it affords parents an opportunity to give children positive reinforcement for exemplary behavior, such as diligence in their studies, and acts of charity. Chanukah Gelt should be given to children after lighting the Menorah. The children should be encouraged to give charity from a portion of their money. MIRACLES AND MENUS - A HISTORIC COMBINATION Jewish tradition and religious observances are not exclusively tied to the synagogue. Judaism is an entire life experience that even permeates the kitchen. So it is that Pesach (Passover) is symbolized by the matzo and by a host of delicacies that have become integral parts of every Seder table. Rosh Hashana has its honey flavored foods. Purim has its hamantaschen, all of them contributing to the completeness of the holiday celebration. Chanukah is no exception. Which Jewish home hasn't enjoyed sizzling potato "latkes" on Chanukah. Why Chanukah? Because the ancient miracle took place through a jug of oil, so Jews for over 2,000 years have commemorated the event with delicious oily delicacies and fried food. And because the Jewish heroine Judith used cheese and milk to help her lull Syrian-Greek General Helipornas to sleep so that she could kill him, dairy delicacies like luscious cheesecake are Chanukah delights. For a few tempting recipes, go to http://www.torahtots.com/holidays/chanuka/chanstr.htm#hasmon Contact Michael Travis at michaelmgr@gmail.com |
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WHY NOT?
Posted by Riad Awwad, November 27, 2006. |
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Since our father is only one man, Abraham, we the arabs and you the jews have the same father. We have had, since than, a great relationship until the big forces in the world have interveened to spoil it. After the holocaust the jews thaught were to go, and they came to their cousins, the arabs. The problem is the arabs did not welcome their cousins like they should, with flowers, but with war !! I think this is the reason our area could not become like Japan or Switherland and has become the contrary, living hell every day !! There is only bloodshead between us! The terorists are the others that do not want peace to come forth in our region, political interests are those that do not let Irak, Lebanon and Israel be peacefull and calm... Well, let us try to make peace now, if not for us, then for our chidren and our grandchildren here to come !! Contact Riad Awwad at riadawwad2004@yahoo.com |
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PEACE FOR LAND
Posted by David Wilder, November 27, 2006. |
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Friday afternoon I was just coming out of a store in Kiryat Arba, when, getting into the car, I received one of the scariest phone calls I can recall. On the other end was Gerri. Gerri's husband Shlomo and I have been friends for about 30 years, of which he and Gerri have spent the last 20 years or so in Kiryat Arba. I was honored to be the 'sandak' at two of their five sons' Brit Milah, that is to be holding them during the ceremony of their circumcision. One of those two boys is studying in yeshiva. The other, Avi, is serving in the army. Gerri: "David, Avi was injured down in Gaza. He was in an army vehicle which was blown up. They say he's ok. I spoke to him. Shlomo and I are going to the hospital in Beer Sheva to be with him for Shabbat." I took Avi's phone number from her and called him. I too wanted to hear his voice. When I actually got a laugh out of him I knew he was OK. He was, according to his mother, full of 'resisim,' which, in English means shrapnel, from the explosion, but otherwise he seemed to be doing fine.
The fashion show over, we started with questions and answers. His unit, serving in Gaza, had set up an outpost in one of the more problematic terrorist neighborhoods. He was driving something similar to a tank, in back of three other vehicles, with a few more in back of him. His vehicle was targeted for the attack being that it potentially carried the most soldiers inside its metal stomach. A huge bomb, perhaps holding as much as 100 kilograms of explosives, detonated alongside the tank-like vehicle, tearing a hole in its side and sending thousands of tiny slivers of metal flying through the air. Avi, realizing immediately that he had been injured, did a quick self-check to examine the damage. Then, somehow, he managed to turn his tank around and drive some 20 minutes back to his base, with much of his body bleeding like a sieve. Much of his uniform had been burned off in the explosion, and when he reached his destination and stumbled out of the driver's seat, one of his commanders, seeing him, reeled, 'what happened to you?' Thank G-d, Avi's injuries were not terribly serious. The puncture wounds weren't very deep and none of his vital organs were hit. About as big a miracle as can be imagined. Now Avi has a few weeks off to recuperate, and then he'll report back to active duty. Whether or not he'll be able to continue in his unit will only be determined after he returns, but he didn't show any signs of wanting to run away and hide. To the contrary, he was in high spirits, despite the constant pain caused by his injuries. Avi's father explained to me: 'you know what it feels like when you get stuck by a thorn, and you can't get it out, and it hurts? That's what each one of the puncture wounds feels like.' I asked if anyone had counted how many little pieces of metal had punctured Avi's body, but the answer was negative. I guess, who would want to count them? But the whole time I was there, Avi didn't stop smiling, and I didn't hear any complaints. A real hero. Yet, despite the heroism of Avi and many others like him, sometimes I have to pinch myself to determine whether or not I'm really awake, or in the midst of some kind of nightmare. This morning Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, speaking at the grave of David Ben Gurion, again offered the terrorists, enemies of the state, whose aims start with the destruction of Israel and end with the Islamization of the world, release of murderers from Israeli jails, establishment of a terrorist state, expulsion of tens and hundreds of thousands of Jews from their homes and abandonment of our homeland. All of this if only they would agree to a 'real peace.' O.K. These people are brain dead. They have nothing left upstairs. They have learned nothing from the last 100 years of history, nothing from the over 2,000 people killed since Oslo, nothing from the thousands of Kasam rockets that have been launched since the abandonment of Gush Katif, and nothing from the Hizballah-Syrian-Iranian axis which launched war on Israel this past summer. I have no hopes or illusions about these people. I only pray that G-d will keep them from doing any more real damage, that, one way or another, their plans to assist in erasing Israel from the map will be thwarted. But what about our own? Last week the rightwing Israeli weekly newspaper Makor Rishon printed an article written by Erez Tadmor, which deals with several new 'peace plans' being suggested by none other than people like former Yesha council secretary general Adi Mintz, MK Yisrael Katz, and most surprisingly, former Hebron resident Yechiel Leiter. Leiter, today a resident of Eli in the Shomron, once a prominent Hebron leader, was also a leader of the Yesha council for many years, an advisor to Limor Livnat and later to Bibi Netanyahu. His proposal, as presented in the Makor Rishon article calls for Israel to 'transfer' 5,000 Israelis in eleven communities, due to their 'problematic' locations, while declaring sovereignty over 42 percent of Judea and Samaria. That means, leaving 58% to our neighbors. He doesn't rule out 'one-sided' Israeli withdrawal: leaving heavily populated Arab land to the Arabs, while declaring Israeli sovereignty over the other land areas. Why: 'The right has, for too long, only said no -- what not to do. Now the time has come for us to say 'yes' -- what can, and should be done.' Leiter calls this plan 'hitgabshut,' which might be translated 'the integration plan.' Reading this article, I wasn't overly surprised by Katz or Mintz. The Yesha council has not been known, in the last few years at least, to be bastion of rightwing thought or action. However, seeing a man of Leiter's credentials offering Eretz Yisrael on a silver platter to our enemies is a matter of concern. But my greatest concern is this: Leiter has awarded legitimacy to all of those, be they Israeli, American or Arab, who proclaim that the solution to the Middle East conflict is land for peace. Eretz Yisrael for ... something. We must sacrifice our land (where is Hebron on your map, Mr. Leiter? Are up willing to displace your family from its home in Eli too?) for... what? For promises? For a piece of paper? For wants and wishes? Leiter, with this proposal, is walking in the footsteps of his old friend, Ariel Sharon, destroying what's left of the right, integrating the right into the left, letting the genie out of the bottle, and announcing to the whole world: YES, EVEN THOSE OF US LIVING IN JUDEA AND SAMARIA, THOSE OF US WHO SPENT DECADES BUILDING OUR LAND, THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE THAT G-D GAVE US THIS LAND, OUR LAND, ERETZ YISRAEL, WE TOO ARE WILLING TO UPROOT OURSELVES, ABANDONING OUR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES, SACRIFICING THEM TO MOLECH. From now on, the Israeli left, fighting to destroy the Israeli presence in Judea and Samaria will have a new friend: Yechiel Leiter. They will be able to say: 'Look, even one of your own admits defeat. He says eleven communities, we say fifty communities. He says 5,000 and we say 100,000 -- this can all be put on the negotiating table. But the principal is accepted by us all -- the Land of Israel, is negotiable. It can legitimately be dealt away if the deal is right, like a discarded card in a poker game. When reading such awful ideas, as presented by 'one of our own' I ask myself, why should young men, like Avi, and others, put their lives on the line. For what? Only to be told, after battling for their land and their people, that it was for naught, that we are 'giving it back?!' All I can say is, thank G-d for the thousands and thousands of Avis who, with faith and strength, are willing to give their lives for their land, for their people, for their country. Their very service is the antithesis of Leiter's 'integration plan' -- they are saying 'yes' -- yes to our land, yes to our people, yes to G-d. They proclaim, with others of us -- 'peace for land.' If and when our neighbors will stop warring against us, allowing us to live peacefully and quietly in our land, we will let them live peacefully too. As long as we are forced to fight for our land, they too will not know peace and comfort in OUR land. We will agree to give them peace when they stop trying to take away our land. Peace for Land. I wait breathlessly for the day when Avi and his friends will take
off their uniforms and participate in actively leading the State of
Israel - away from the directions offered by Leiter and his friends,
and in the direction that G-d had in mind when he promised us, and
gave us our holy land, our Eretz Yisrael.
David Wilder is spokesman of The Jewish Community of Hebron. You
can contribute directly to The Jewish Community of Hebron, POB10,
Kiryat Arba-Hebron 90100, hebron@hebron.org.il, 972-2-9965333 or write
to The Hebron Fund, 1760 Ocean Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11230,
hebronfund@aol.com
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IN WAR APPEARANCES ARE DECEPTIVE; INDECENCY; HRW VERSUS HUMAN RIGHTS
Posted by Richard H. Shulman, November 27, 2006. |
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THE MOSQUE SIEGE -- MORE The IDF chased dozens of terrorists into a mosque, from which they opened fire on Israeli troops. The P.A. media reported a crowd of women and children heeding the call to march to the mosque and escort the men to safety, but were fired upon by Israeli troops. The P.A. unwittingly admitted that its civilians acted as human shields. This was not the first time that the terrorists called upon civilians to do so (Palestinian Media Watch in IMRA, 11/5). The P.A. acts indignant that some of the women involved in that criminality and forfeiture of civilian status got shot during an Israeli attempt to get at the terrorists. What isn't realized about Muslim Arab grievances and claims to have been humiliated is that their religion teaches them that they have a duty to humiliate people of other religions. Israel, by retaking an area that had been conquered by Islam, and by ruling over Muslims, reverses Islam's notion of the march of history, just as the Communists thought they were riding the wave of the future. Muslims perceive Israeli independence as an affront to Islam. They feel humiliated unless they are humiliating other people. APPEARANCES ARE DECEPTIVE The vicissitudes of war (at least how it is reported) give the impression of both sides having a legitimate point. By fighting Israel, Hizbullah got the advantage of underdog status, although the overall Muslim forces, population, and territory make them the Goliath. The war made Hizbullah become a party to reckon with. The ceasefire made it appear to be a partner for peace. Nobody discussed what Hizbullah's cause is (because it is the destruction of Israel, nothing legitimate). The war should have shown that Israel cannot slake Muslim hostility, not by withdrawal and not by trying to make peace. Same for the West as a whole, for the hostility is due to who and what we are, not what we do. It comes from within Islam, not as a result of Western behavior. The West lives under constant threat of Muslim violence. Al-Qaeda boasts that it will win, because Westerners love life, whereas Muslims love death and will sacrifice more. Muslims prefer "greatness" in death to achievement in life. Sticking to misconception, Westerners think that Muslim extremism arises from oppression (or poverty). The West is afraid "of being charged with its old sins of racism, imperialism, and colonialism." (Those were and are sins of Islam, too, but most Westerners don't know it.) The West, especially Europe and the US Left, is beset with feelings of guilt. Actually, Islamists don't hate the West for oppressing them (which it does not do any more and Israel never did), but because the West ended oppression, and now Islam stands on its own. The West, being more advanced, shows it up. The same kind of Western guilt afflicts Israel. The Israeli Left thinks its country is bigoted towards the Arabs, but "...Islamic extremism is the most explicitly and dangerous expression of human bigotry since the Nazi era." (Jewish Political Chronicle, 9/2006, p.36 from Shelby Steele, Wall St. J., 8/22). Every Islamic state oppresses its own people. The stronger ones strive to oppress others, too. INDECENCY AMONG THE EDUCATED The president of the University of Pennsylvania held a Halloween party. She posed with an Arab guest dressed as a suicide bomber. Suicide bombers are war criminals who have murdered innocent people all over the world, including Americans. Whereas a university officer would not pose with a guest dressed as a member of the KKK, she is comfortable with one posing as a suicide bomber. What indecency! (Prof. Steven Plaut, 11/5.) She probably pretends to being moral, perhaps a progressive. INDECENCY IN A HOLY CITY The Ford Foundation was caught working against Israel. It pledged to stop its anti-Israel projects. It didn't. It gives hundreds and hundreds of thousands to strengthen the Arabs in Israel. Now it has a new way to divide Israelis and alienate Jews from Israel. The Foundation subsidized an Israeli organization enough to underwrite a gay parade (probably involving vulgar displays) in the holy city of Jerusalem. Religious Jews will fight against this physically. (Muslims oppose it, too.) That will alienate the mass of the Jewish people, who have come to hate homophobia more than religious Jews object to homosexuality, from Judaism and from Israel. Barry Chamish asks what else is that parade for, in that city, but just such a provocation. It is more subversive than degenerate. The government of Israel seems complicit in the impending strife. The police wanted to ban the parade, but the Attorney-General overruled them. Thousands of police are being called away from anti-terrorism duty to protect the paraders. "They put ugly graffiti on a Tel Aviv synagogue, sent notes threatening to rape religious girls, attack the mayor...and it's all likely the Shabak's (secret service) dirty tricks department at work. The people still fall for such dirty tricks (Chamish, 11/8). An Israeli MK suggested that police devote equivalent resources to allowing and protecting Jewish worshippers from Muslims atop the Temple Mount. A parade there, rather than in the anything-goes Tel Aviv, is akin to the Nazi march through Skokie, home of Holocaust survivors. Couldn't be more callous. Sometimes civil libertarians are the spearhead of barbarism. U.S. MUSLIMS DIS-ASSIMILATING The younger, American-born, Muslims increasingly alienate themselves from mainstream US life. They choose Islamic identity over Americanism. In becoming more religious, they stick to their own communities and reject "shared values and common culture." They are separating themselves in schools via Muslim student associations, Islamic lectures, separate schools, language and dress, and in centering their lives around mosques. So far, the younger generation is not terrorist, and follow a moderate leader (Jewish Political Chronicle, 9/2006, p.41 from Genevive Abdo in Wash. Post, 8/27). The author deceives herself. To become a terrorist is a two-step process: (1) Return to Islam seriously; and (2) Become radicalized. Faith in Islam, a religion of war, is the prerequisite. Is this what we want for our country? How many cells already exist? Richard Shulman is a veteran defender of Israel on several web-based forums. His comments and analyses appear often on Think-Israel. He provides cool information and right-on-target overviews. He distributes his essays by email. To subscribe, write him at richardshulman5@aol.com. |
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JEWISH REFUGEES FROM ARAB COUNTRIES
Posted by Michael Travis, November 27, 2006. |
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The campaign for the rights and redress of Jewish refugees from Arab countries was launched at the end of October in Jerusalem and attracted coverage in the Israeli, North American, European and even Arabic press and media. The campaign, which seeks to document the stories of Jews and their lost assets, is set to continue until April 2008. During November a conference on Babylonian Jewry took place in New York; 60 years on from the exodus of Egyptian Jews after the Suez crisis, the 'Journees Egyptiennes' in Paris focused on Egyptian Jewry. In the UK, Harif organised five events, attended in all by 450 people. The US and France will launch their campaign in the Spring to coincide with the story of the Passover Exodus. If you or your relatives were forced to flee Arab countries or Iran, please register your details urgently at www.justiceforjews.com. |
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LONDON EVENTS Muslim-Jewish relations in the Maghreb, 1850 -- 1948 . Lecture by Moroccan historian Dr Mohammed Kenbib. Mon 4 December, The Sephardi Centre, London W9. 7.30 for 8pm.Harif/Spiro Ark/Sephardi Centre. Tickets £8 from Spiro Ark on 0207 723 9991. Identity and memory among the Jews of Salonica . Salonica was for 500 years a Jewish city under Muslim Ottoman rule. Lecture by Dr Bea Lewkowicz. Thursday 18 January 2007. Holland Park Synagogue, W11. 7.30 for 8pm. Harif/Spiro Ark/Jewish Genealogical Society of GB.Tickets £7 from Spiro Ark on 0207 723 9991. The last days of Babylon. Talk/ launch of Marina Benjamin's new book at Spiro Ark Centre, 25 -- 26 Enford St, W1. Saturday 3 February 2007. 7.30 for 8pm. Harif/Spiro Ark. Booking Spiro Ark on 0207 723 9991. Salonica, city of silence. UK premiere of film by Maurice Amaraggi. Wednesday 7 February 2007.Holland Park Synagogue, W11. 7.30 for 8pm. Harif/Spiro Ark/Jewish Genealogical Society of GB. Tickets £7 from Spiro Ark on 0207 723 9991. Conversation between Naim Kattan, author of Farewell Babylon and Marina Benjamin author of Last days of Babylon, Chaired by Linda Dangoor-Khalastchi. Sunday 4 March 2007, 2pm. Royal National Hotel, Bedford Way, London WC1. Jewish Book Week in association with Harif. Information 0207 446 8771. NEW BOOK Last days in Babylon by Marina Benjamin, just published in the US. To order online:
FILM : The David Project's Forgotten refugees
For all these stories and more visit the regularly-updated 'Point of no Return' at www.jewishrefugees.blogspot.com RIGHTS AND REDRESS CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH REFUGEES Finally, a push for Jewish refugees from Arab lands
Jerusalem meeting an outstanding success
Coverage of Jewish refugees meeting
Minister calls on Oriental Jews to make claims
Mid-East refugees campaign
Libyan Jew fled in terror in 1967
Making the case for the forgotten Oriental Jews
US Jews step up campaign on Jewish refugees
Revisionist backlash to refugees' campaign begins
JEWS FROM ARAB/MUSLIM COUNTRIES Israel must become 'the Jewish quarter of an Arab town'
Satloff on Arab anti-Zionism and anti-semitism
Stolen Jewish land and property
Jewish translators salvaged Arab philosophy
BAHRAIN Bahrain's Jews cannot travel to Israel
SYRIA The unsung Canadian who saved Syrian Jewry
IRAQ US Holocaust Museum admits Nazi-Arab axis
The 1941 Farhoud was premeditated
Last Jews of Baghdad screened in London
Saddam's death sentence 'fair' -- Iraqi Jews
Can a Jew also be Arab? - Naim Kattan
IRAN Jews unwilling participants in Iranian documentary
EGYPT Brindisi erects plaque to refugees of 1956
The three exiles of Algerian Jewry
Turks remember 2003 synagogue attacks
NON-MUSLIM/NON-ARAB MINORITIES Pope expresses solidarity with Iraqi Christians
Christians flee as extremist threat worsens
More Coptic girls disappear
PALESTINIAN REFUGEES Condi Rice is for a 22nd Arab state but not for a Kurdish state
Golan, right of return top Syrian priorities
Who are Palestinian refugees?
History and the Palestinian 'right of return'
Contact Michael Travis at michaelmgr@gmail.com |
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HITLER'S WAR AGAINST THE JEWISH PEOPLE NOT OVER
Posted by Yuval Zaliouk, November 27, 2006. |
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Dear friends, A few days ago, one of the worst anti-Semites on my readers' list, sent me a series of anti-Semitic cartoons by Muslim cartoonists. He sent it not to express disgust but to prove a bigoted point. You see, one of the biggest lies of all time is that the State of Israel was created is a result of the Holocaust. And more: That the "poor Palestinians suffering" is a direct from what Hitler did to the Jewish people. The fact that this Nazi-bigot disseminates such lies is not at all surprising to me. Unfortunately, there are many such barbarians around. What is surprising is some of the people on the readers' list of this man (who does not even know how to use the Bcc feature in his software), among them people in The Guardian and The Independent newspapers, as well as university professors, mostly in England. That is shocking because they are regular readers on his list! In case you have also been contaminated by the above mentioned lie, here are just a few facts of many: 1) Jews always lived in the Land of Israel from the time of the Roman conquest.
Following, please find a great article on the subject by Naomi Ragen. Please read it and forward to as many readers as possible. Naomi mentions the program put together for CNN by Glen Beck. In case you missed it, please find below the link to this video. Also attached are the cartoons sent by that anti-Semite bigot. This is propaganda even the Goebels and the Nazis would be proud of.
The essay below is called "Enemies and Allies" and comes from Naomi Ragen. Your Truth Provider,
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I was in the middle of leafing through former Israeli Chief Rabbi
Lau's moving autobiography of his childhood in concentration camps,
when I came across a photo of a young person who survived Hitler, only
to die as a soldier in Israel's War of Independence. That night, I
happened to go to youtube to watch Glenn Beck's remarkable documentary
aired on CNN's Headline News. In it I saw footage of an Egyptian
television show about how a young girl's eyes are stolen and given to
the Zionists. Other television shows on Arab channels show Jews
hunting Christian children for their blood, which is needed (what
else?) to bake Passover matzohs.
It suddenly occurred to me that Hitler's war against the Jews is not over. Sixty years later, the same irrational, sick hatred, racism, fascism has targeted us again. Unlike my foolish brethren in Peace Now who seek the approval of those who hate them, I do not. There is no need to search out reasons why my children (all of whom were born in Israel and so certainly can claim the same rights as anybody born in Jordan or Syria whose parents once had a house here) deserve to be vilified and targeted and terrorized and harmed, just as there is no reason to search out the crimes of six million of our brothers and sisters who lived in other lands, lands which told them they were being murdered because their noses were too long, or because they were ruling the world, or because they refused to go back to Palestine. Such reasons can only be found in the despicable nature of the culture and society which breeds our enemies, people whose sole contribution to mankind is bottomless evil and depravity. I spit on them all, and on their friends and supporters and apologists. And to those who believe our very existence on this little piece of desert land is their just grievance, a grievance that must be avenged and redressed, I say this, quoting Zeev Jabotinsky: "We hold that Zionism is moral and just. And since it is moral and just, justice must be done, no matter whether Joseph or Simon or Ivan or Achmet agree with it or not. There is no other morality....this does not mean that there cannot be any agreement with the Palestine Arabs. What is impossible is a voluntary agreement. As long as the Arabs feel that there is the least hope of getting rid of us, they will refuse to give up this hope in return for either kind words or for bread and butter, because they are not a rabble, but a living people. And when a living people yields in matters of such a vital character it is only when there is no longer any hope of getting rid of us, because they can make no breach in the iron wall. Not till then will they drop their extremist leaders whose watchword is "Never!" And the leadership will pass to the moderate groups, who will approach us with a proposal that we should both agree to mutual concessions. But the only way to obtain such an agreement, is the iron wall, which is to say a strong power in Palestine that is not amenable to any Arab pressure. In other words, the only way to reach an agreement in the future is to abandon all idea of seeking an agreement at present." We are at war. It is not one of our choosing, but one that has been unleashed upon us, every single Jew in the world, and every other person who doesn't pray to Mecca, as well as many who do. This not a new war, but a continuation of an old one. The enemy has changed his outfits and his philosophies, and his laundry list of grievances, but his character and his agenda remains the same: to torture and kill and destroy. The beast is hard at work. I see the signs of him winking out at me in the careless, anti American banter of late night talk show hosts, and the headlines of almost all newspapers. Everyone has jumped on the bandwagon. All of them siding with the dictators and the beheaders and the religious fanatics for oh such liberal reasons. Yet, I haven't lost hope. While as a religious Jew, I am hoping for a miracle, I also know that God helps those who help themselves. What we need is clarity. We hold these truths to be self-evident: 1. When someone- whether it is the Prime Minister of Israel, or a Syrian diplomat or Condoleezza Rice- say they are in favor of "a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side by side in mutual harmony and respect" what they are really saying is that they are in favor of the demise of the State of Israel. Proof: The disengagement from Gaza, a mini two state solution, which has resulted in thousands of rocket attacks on Southern Israel, reaffirming the fact that the so-called Palestinians do not want a state of their own, but to destroy the State of Israeland all the Jews who live there. Those advocating this are siding with our enemies. We believe that the following steps need to be taken to secure the continued freedom of Israel, religion and Western values in the world. Anyone in favor of these steps, can be viewed as allies. 1. America needs to find out the identity of the terrorists in Iraq, and declare war on those who finance, supply, and send them. Well, that's it for starters. I welcome additions to the list. Naomi Yuval Zaliouk writes the Truth Provider columns. To subscribe, send an email to ynz@netvision.net.il |
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PALESTINIAN EMIGRATION ON THE RISE
Posted by Martin Sherman, November 26, 2006. |
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There is accumulating and accelerating evidence the extensive Palestinian emigration is not only feasible but is in fact gathering momentum. This comes from the Jerusalem Post and is archived at www.jpost.com/servelet/Satellite?cid=1161811251277@pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |
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Palestinians are leaving the territories due to the harsh security and economic situation there, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. Israel Radio reported that thousands of Palestinians have received permits to emigrate to Arab and other foreign countries. Ahmed Suboh, a Palestinian Foreign Ministry official, said at a Ramallah press conference that over the last four months, foreign and Arab diplomats in the territories have authorized 10,000 Palestinians to enter their countries. Suboh said that some 45,000 additional emigration requests were currently being evaluated by various foreign representatives. The Foreign Ministry official noted that Palestinian emigration was likely to continue with the deterioration of the security situation. Contact Dr. Martin Sherman at ms6747@gmail.com |
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WACKY ARIZONA IMAM TAKES TO THE AIR ONCE AGAIN!
Posted by Michael Travis, November 26, 2006. |
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This next is a press release from MAS Freedom organization. |
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful MEDIA ADVISORY Imam Barred From US Airways Joins Interfaith Clerics and NAACP Leader for Press Conference, Prayer, and Flight on US Airways MAS Freedom Conducts Airport "Pray-in" and Press Conference WASHINGTON, DC - (MASNET) On Monday, November 27th, 8:15 AM, at the US Airways ticket counter located in the Reagan National Airport, Imam Omar Shahin, one of the six Imams removed from US Airways flight 300, will join Imam Mahdi Bray, Executive Director of the MAS Freedom Foundation, Rabbi Arthur Waskow of the Shalom Center of Philadelphia, Rev Graylan Hagler of the United Church of Christ, Hillary Shelton, Director of the NAACP-Washington National Office, and other interfaith members for a press statement, public prayer, and flight departure on US Airways. The "pray-in" is in response to US Airways' removal of Imam Omar Shahin and five other Imams traveling from a religious leader's conference in Minnesota. Three of the Imams were observed praying prior to departure. Subsequent to boarding the plane, the six were removed from the flight, handcuffed, and detained in the airport for questioning for over five hours. Upon release, US Airways and other airlines refused to allow them to purchase tickets for other scheduled flights to Phoenix. "The detention of these religious leaders, and the refusal of the airline to allow them travel, is a gross example of blatant Islamophobia and the violation of the civil rights of Muslim passengers", said Imam Mahdi Bray, Executive Director of the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation. "The last time I checked, public prayer was still protected by the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and speech. It's a shame that as an African-American and a Muslim I have the double whammy of having to worry about driving while Black and flying while Muslim. We charge the airline with not only discrimination, but with an action that is insulting and demeaning to these Muslim religious leaders, and to all people of faith." The MAS Freedom Foundation, and many in the interfaith and civil rights community, feel strongly that in addition to religious discrimination, the issue involving the six Imams is also a religious freedom issue. We have forwarded the case to several prominent civil and constitutional rights attorneys and legal scholars. The Freedom Foundation is the public affairs arm of the Muslim American Society (MAS), a national grassroots religious, social, and educational organization. MAS is America's largest grassroots Muslim organization with over 50 chapters nationwide. Learn more at www.masnet.org. -END- Contact Michael Travis at michaelmgr@gmail.com |
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THE WORLD MUST NOT SUPPORT MUSLIM BIGOTRY
Posted by Lawrence Uniglicht, November 26, 2006. |
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The last thing this world needs is another state ruled by bigots who refuse to allow others with contrasting belief systems to dwell within its borders. Israel, a unique tiny tolerant democracy, mostly Jewish but amply populated and in fact influenced in policy making by Muslims, Christians, an array of other faiths, as well as atheists, is nestled within a vast region substantially composed of many racist fundamentalist Islamic states that ban Jewish residents. So-called Palestinians, already heaped within the racist Muslim enclave of Gaza, are presumably willing to cease heaving deadly missiles into Israel for a while, if indeed Israel boots out all of its Jewish citizens from and cedes Judea and Samaria to those same Arabs. If ever there was an offer reeking with extortion this is it. How can civilized evolving nations worldwide, observing such hubris, not castigate Muslim bigots, utterly disregarding humane principles by so disrespecting Jewish enclaves within lands of disputed sovereignty? How can civilized evolving nations worldwide not intercede and strongly opine any government negotiating to rule over any parcel of land must first pledge to protect and defend the rights of all inhabitants, ethnicity notwithstanding, of that land, especially those that have erected communities only wishing to dwell in peace? Why in fact must civil nations coddle bigoted Arab Muslims, who share nothing in common with the concept of an enlightened tolerant mankind, an absolutely essential prerequisite to prosperity in an emerging century twenty-one? Why in fact do civil nations not support Israel's conundrum, urging that besieged State to defend itself even more aggressively from deadly missile attacks, and fervently suggest no Israeli politico bow to extortion by ceding an inch of land to in effect a criminal regime launching missiles that murder and maim innocent civilians within a neighboring sovereign nation? Any and all land developed and inhabited by Israeli citizens within Judea and Samaria is worthy of their stewardship, would not have been developed conforming to humane tolerant standards by Arabs insisting on but one theological structure barring all others, thus should remain freely accessible to Jews and all others under the sovereign aegis of laws and moral principles democratically crafted and espoused by the State of Israel, to be enforced by Israel's considerable military might if necessary. Furthermore, if fairness remains a consideration, all of Judea, Samaria, east Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights should forthwith be formally declared sovereign Israeli territory, based on precedents controlling the fate of land justifiably secured in combat. The aforementioned land was so secured in 1967 by Israel, defending itself against Arab aggressors intent on annihilating the Jewish State. The horrifically stupid act of ceding Gaza to an unstable Arab entity labeled Palestine should be promptly annulled. Any and all residents within declared sovereign Israeli territory, due to facts on the ground, must pledge their allegiance to the government of Israel to the exclusion of all other ruling cadres. Any and all residents not willing to do so should be given a reasonable amount of time to pack and leave, fairly compensated by the State of Israel for assets left behind, amounts to be determined by a fiscally prudent finance minister. Although such an edict would be entirely unacceptable to most Arab Muslim residents, at least they would be afforded an opportunity to remain and practice their faith, governed by a democratic nation, provided they recognize and adhere to the imperatives of that government. Any sovereign state has the right to expect loyalty. Any sovereign state has the right to prosecute and or expel those committing acts of treason. Israel and indeed Jews in general will be disrespected and perhaps despised by much of the world, no matter how obsequious they are, no matter how tough they are. It surely pays to be tough! Lawrence Uniglicht is a career civil servant, working for the Social Security Administration. He advocates for the State of Israel with an American perspective. He writes, "Advocating for the disrespected underdog has been my passion, no doubt Israel falls into that category." Contact him by email at luniglicht@snip.net |
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GETTING READY FOR HANUKKAH AND A HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Posted by Michael Travis, November 26, 2006. |
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This is called "'If IDF doesn't leave West Bank, we'll resume attacks'
-- (like they ever stopped.) The article was written by Khaled Abu
Toameh and appeared today in the Jerusalem Post
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Hamas on Sunday dismissed as "unacceptable" Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's threat to arrest any Palestinian who violates the latest cease-fire with Israel. Meanwhile, several Palestinian armed groups warned that they would resume their attacks unless Israel also halted its military operations in the West Bank. At least three groups, including Islamic Jihad, have refused to sign on to the cease-fire agreement. One of them is the Aksa Martyrs Brigades, which said it would not abide by the cease-fire as long as Israel continued to arrest its members in the West Bank. The group, which belongs to Abbas's Fatah party, was responding to the arrest of Mahmoud Kadoura, a top member of the Aksa Martyrs Brigades, in Ramallah. Abu Obaidah, a spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, Izaddin Kassam, also warned that the cease-fire would collapse unless Israel stopped its military operations in the West Bank immediately. "The Israeli aggression must stop in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip," he said. "This is a temporary cease-fire and any Israeli assault on our people in the West Bank will be viewed as a violation of the agreement." Shortly after the cease-fire went into effect at 6 a.m. Sunday, Abbas ordered the deployment of some 13,000 PA policemen in the northern part of the Gaza Strip to stop the firing of rockets at Israel. Abbas also ordered the policemen to arrest anyone who violates the cease-fire. But sources close to Abbas expressed fear that Hamas would try to torpedo the deployment of the security forces. They also worried that some officers would refuse to carry out Abbas's instructions, either for political reasons or to protest unpaid salaries. Abbas's threat drew sharp criticism from Hamas, which warned against any attempt to arrest its members. "The era of political detentions has gone forever," said Khaled Abu Hilal, spokesman for the Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry, which is formally in charge of the PA security forces. Condemning Abbas's threat as "provocative," Abu Hilal said: "Such threats don't help preserve the cease-fire; on the contrary, they jeopardize the cease-fire. We urge those who are issuing threats to backtrack or to deny them."
The Hamas spokesman nonetheless stressed his movement's desire to maintain the cease-fire on condition that Israel also abided by it. Ahmed Bahar, a senior Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, claimed that the initiative for the cease-fire came from Israel, not the Palestinians. "The Israelis started begging for a cease-fire because of their defeat [in the Gaza Strip]," he told reporters. "The Palestinian resistance played an important role in repelling the Israeli army. The Palestinians are always triumphant." Ghazi Hamad, spokesman for the Hamas-led government, said representatives of all the armed groups were expected to hold a meeting late Sunday to assess the situation in the aftermath of the cease-fire announcement. "We want this agreement to succeed and take hold," he told The Jerusalem Post. "We will also launch an investigation into this morning's violations of the cease-fire. There is a consensus on the Palestinian side that the cease-fire must be based on the principle of reciprocity. I believe that all the groups are interested in maintaining this cease-fire." Earlier in the day, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh met with leaders of the armed groups and urged them to abide by the cease-fire. Following a similar meeting on Saturday night, Haniyeh phoned Abbas to inform him that all the groups had agreed to honor a conditional cease-fire with Israel. Abbas later phoned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and told him about the decision. Explaining his organization's rejection of the cease-fire, Syria-based Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ramadan Shalah said he was opposed to "partial truces" with Israel. "We have expressed reservations about this cease-fire because it applies only to the Gaza Strip and not the West Bank," he said. "It's not in the interest of the Palestinians to talk about a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip while Israel is continuing with its incursions, detentions and assassinations in the West Bank."
Contact the poster at michaelmgr@gmail.com
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THE GEMAYEL WARNING
Posted by Michael Travis, November 25, 2006. |
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This article was written by Caroline Glick and it was published November 24, 2006 in the Jerusalem Post (www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1162378471759&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull). |
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Tuesday saw another nail driven into the coffin of US President George W. Bush's vision of a free and democratic Middle East. The Syrians aren't even trying to hide their involvement in the assassination of Lebanon's Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel. Hours after Gemayel was murdered, his killers issued a communiqu calling themselves the "Fighters for the Unity and Liberty of Greater Syria." They said that they killed Gemayel because he was "one of those who unceasingly spouted their venom against Syria and against [Hizbullah], shamelessly and without any trepidation." Gemayel, they threatened, would be the first of many victims. As they put it, "Sooner or later we will pay the rest of the agents their due..." The hit this week was not a bolt from the blue. For the past several weeks Hizbullah chief Hassan Nasrallah and his bosses in Syria and Iran have made it brutally clear that they intend to bring down the anti-Syrian government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora and replace it with a pro-Syrian, pro-Iranian coalition led by Hizbullah. Although their intentions are clear, a casual observer of events could be forgiven for finding the timing of Gemayel's murder somewhat mystifying. After all, the UN Security Council is preparing the establishment of an international tribunal to try those responsible for the February 2005 murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. Why would Syrian President Bashar Assad wish to make people mad at him now by killing yet another anti-Syrian politician in Lebanon? What a casual observer misses is the simple fact that events in Lebanon do not stand on their own. Like Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Lebanon is a front in a regional war being waged against the US, Israel and their allies by Iran and Syria. Iraq is another front in this war and Gemayel's murder is intimately tied to developments in Iraq. The Democratic Party's victory in the November 7 Congressional elections convinced Iran and Syria that they are on the verge of a great victory against the US in Iraq. Iranian and Syrian jubilation is well founded in light of the Democratic leadership's near unanimous calls for the US to withdraw its forces in Iraq; Bush's firing of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his appointment of his father's CIA director Robert Gates to replace him; and Bush's praise for the Congressionally mandated Iraq Study Group charged with revisiting US strategy in Iraq, which is being co-chaired by his father's secretary of state James Baker III. Although his committee has yet to formally submit its recommendations, Baker made clear that he will recommend that the administration negotiate a withdrawal of US forces from Iraq with Iran and Syria. That is, he is putting together a strategy not for victory, but for defeat. Baker fervently believes that US foreign policy should revolve around being bad to its friends and good to its enemies. Consequently he thinks that the US can avoid the humiliation of the defeat he proposes by buying off Syria and Iran, the forces behind most of the violence, instability, subversion and terror in Iraq. If the US accepts their conditions, they will temporarily cease their attacks to enable a US retreat that will look only mildly humiliating to the television viewers back home. This week Bush said he has yet to decide how to move ahead in Iraq. But Baker is moving ahead without him. While Bush also said that he opposes negotiating with Iran and Syria, last Friday The New York Times reported that Baker and his group held talks recently with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem. And, as truth would have it, for the past year or so, the US Ambassador to Baghdad Zalmay Khalizad has been conducting negotiations with the Iranians. Administration sources say that Bush is expected to make a decision on the course of operations in Iraq by mid-December. But as far as Iran and Syria are concerned, the game has already been called. They are wasting no time collecting their winnings. As Gemayel was being murdered Tuesday in Lebanon, Muallem paid a visit to Baghdad. There he established full diplomatic relations between his country and Iraq. Monday Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced his intention to host a three-way summit with his Iraqi and Syrian counterparts. Responding to Ahmadinejad's invitation, Iraqi President Jalal Talibani is scheduled to visit Iran and Syria next week. Just as Israelis and American Jews both bitterly recall Baker's acrimonious and degrading treatment during his tenure as secretary of state, so the Syrians and Iranians take comfort from his record. They remember Baker as the man who accepted the 1989 Taif Accord that ended the Syrian-sponsored Lebanese civil war by sacrificing Lebanese sovereignty to Assadian fascist occupation in the name of regional stability. Then too, Baker is remembered as the man who abandoned Iraq's Shi'ites to their fate at the hands of Saddam after the US failed to assist them in their post-Gulf War rebellion which the US itself had encouraged. Finally, no doubt they noticed that Baker's law firm Baker-Botts is representing the Saudi government in the 9/11 victims' lawsuit against the kingdom. BAKER'S CURRENT dealings with Iran and Syria parallel closely Israel's talks with the Palestinians in the lead-up to its withdrawal from Gaza and northern Samaria last year. As Baker does today, at the time Israel appealed to the Palestinians to restrain themselves temporarily to enable an orderly Israeli surrender of the territories. Last year the Palestinians demanded that Israel hand over the international border between Gaza and the Sinai in exchange for their cooperation. By forcing the IDF to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, the Palestinian Authority transformed a tactical and symbolic victory for jihad into a strategic victory for jihad. Without Israel controlling the border, Gaza was rapidly transformed into a major base for global terrorists. Today, the Iranian and Syrian price tags for cooperation are similarly high. The Iranians demand international acceptance of their nuclear weapons program replete with European abandonment of Israel. Their demands have apparently been met. There is no end in sight for the UN Security Council deliberations over the relatively insignificant European sanctions proposal. And between British Prime Minister Tony Blair's speeches calling for Israeli capitulation on all fronts; French threats to shoot down IAF jets in Lebanon; the Spanish-French-Italian "peace plan;" and France's Arab League-like treatment of Israel in the UN, it is self-evident that the Europeans have abandoned Israel to Ahmadinejad's tender mercies. Syria set its price for cooperating with the US in Iraq when it murdered Gemayel. That is, in addition to pressuring Israel to give up the Golan Heights, the US will be expected to accept the reassertion of Syrian/Iranian control over all of Lebanon through a new government controlled by Hizbullah and its allies which will replace the Saniora government. The fall of the Saniora government will also spell the demise of the Hariri murder tribunal. Iran and Syria also demand that the US abandon its policy of regime change in both countries. Another similarity between Israel's retreat from Gaza and northern Samaria last year, its withdrawal from south Lebanon in 2000, and the proposed US retreat from Iraq today are the obvious consequences of such a retreat for the US, the region and the world. Far from bringing peace and stability, as the champions of the withdrawal policy mindlessly claim, a retreat will cause more war, more instability and more suffering in Iraq, in the region and throughout the world. In the wake of a US (and Coalition) withdrawal from Iraq, the country would become an Iranian-Syrian-controlled base for global jihad. Battle-tested, heavily armed terrorists, cocky after their victory over the Great Satan, would use Iraq as a stepping-off point for attacks throughout the region and world. Israel and Jordan, as allies of the defeated great power, would be first on the list of targets. Moreover, as was the case with soldiers and officers of the South Lebanon Army after the Israeli withdrawal, and with Palestinians who assisted Israel in counter-terror operations in Judea, Samaria and Gaza before the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, Iraqis who worked with Coalition forces will likely be killed, arrested and tortured by their new mafia-like terror masters. Israel will find itself beset by an emboldened, nuclear weapons building Iran, an exhilarated Assad and by Iranian proxies from Gaza to Ramallah to Beirut. BOTH ISRAEL'S decision to vacate Gaza, northern Samaria and south Lebanon and the current push in the US to leave Iraq are informed by the same strategic confusion. In choosing the strategy of retreat, Israel and the US have ignored the regional and indeed global nature of the war being waged against them. In such a war, it is impossible to view conflicts as discrete campaigns. Everything is related. Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000 inspired the Palestinian jihad. Its withdrawal from Gaza and northern Samaria caused the two-front war this summer with Iran and Syria in Gaza and Lebanon. That war in turn inspired the current chaos on Lebanon, the Iranian-Syrian brinkmanship in Iraq, and Iran's emboldened sprint to the nuclear finish-line. The fact that both Israel and the US continue to ignore the nature of the war was made clear this summer when they accepted UN Security Council Resolution 1701 which while setting the terms for a cease-fire in Lebanon made no mention of Syria and Iran - the main parties to the war. Then too, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's stated interest in giving Judea and Samaria to the Palestinians, and the US hope to retreat from Iraq, show that both countries continue to deny reality. The most pressing question today then is whether Bush will give in to Baker and the Democrats and agree to capitulate to Iran and Syria in Iraq, Lebanon and indeed throughout the world. Unfortunately, things look bleak given that Bush relies most heavily on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Rice has been blocking US action against Syria and Iran for the past two years. She was the primary architect of UN Resolution 1701 this summer, has been pushing for dangerous Israeli concessions to the Palestinians and is known for her good relations with Baker. Although a great blow to Bush's vision of democracy in the Middle East, Gemayel's murder can still serve as an opportunity for the reinvigoration of that vision. If Bush sees this murder as the warning sign it is of what awaits Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Iraq and indeed the entire world if the US removes its forces from Iraq or is perceived as moving in that direction; if he finally recognizes that Iraq is not a separate war, but a great battle in a larger struggle, then Bush will be able to formulate a new strategy for victory. Such a strategy, founded on an understanding of the regional and global nature of the war, will change the emphasis of US operations in Iraq in a manner than weakens, rather than strengthens Iran and Syria. Such a strategy is the only way to ensure the continued functioning of the Saniora government and indeed the survival of Lebanon as an independent nation. Most importantly, such a strategy will be the only way to ensure that a policy will be formed and adopted by the US and Israel that will prevent Israel's annihilation at the hands of an Iranian nuclear bomb. Contact the poster at michaelmgr@gmail.com |
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THE NAZI SYSTEM RE-AWAKENED - WANNSEE 2
Posted by Emanuel A. Winston, November 25, 2006. |
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Muslims are rampaging all over the world and the nations are searching for a way to pacify them. They already know that Muslims, having once successfully exerted their power, cannot be pacified. The genie cannot be put back into the bottle via pacification or appeasement. The Americans in Iraq have learned this bitter lesson also on their own soil - you might say at the Twin Peaks of their power and on the symbol of their military might. The Spanish, English, French and Dutch are in the process of learning this tragic lesson in their countries. In a last desperate act of perfidy, the nations are getting ready to re-employ the Nazi solution, namely blaming the Jews for the sheer religious insanity of the Muslims. All of these events were predicted years ago, given the hatred of the Jews by the Europeans who have now accepted the pledge of genocide proclaimed daily by the Muslims. Naturally, the Europeans will elicit civilized language, in concert with the Baker-led State Department crowd to obfuscate their real intent. Tony Blair has been selected as the lead voice stating that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the root cause of Islam's global assault on the West. We see a mix of international power brokers, gathering to finalize their plans to eliminate the Jewish State as their gift of appeasement to the Muslims. History (if and when it is allowed to be documented) will speak of the individuals and nations as they re-enact the re-birth of the Wannsee Conference. For those who don't recall or are too young to remember, the Wannsee Conference was assembled January 20, 1942 by Reinhard Heydrich to plan the "Final Solution of the Jewish Question" as charged by Hermann Goring, under Adolph Hitler's orders - to deport or eliminate 11 million Jews - even from countries not in a state of war with the German Reich. (1) Adolph Eichmann took notes on the fateful meeting and became the organizer for transporting and murdering Jews. He was eventually caught in Buenos Aires, Argentina by a Mossad team headed by Peter Malkin, including MK Rafi Eitan. Eichmann was tried and hanged in Israel in 1962. (2) "Never Again" seems to be happening again! Who will be likely to attend the Wannsee of 2006 or 2007? I would guess that James Baker III, Lee Hamilton and Robert Gates would have already made first arrangements through the Baker Iraqi "Group". We see that Tony Blair has joined the crowd on invitation. George Herbert Walker Bush, Baker, Brent Scowcroft and that old gang would, of course, be fully informed, no doubt, as participating advisors. The current President George W. Bush will allow (encourage) Blair-Baker et al to carry the ball until it is time to apply final pressure, then a cut-off of aid and spare parts technology, trade severing links until Israel gives up everything the Arabs and Muslims want. There are, of course, the disinformation specialists well into drafting the rationale to explain why the Jewish State of Israel is to be pressured before termination. They will, however, find different, civilized language as superficial plausibility which will give on-lookers (the American people) the sense that all of this is being done in the name of "Peace in our time". (Here "Peace" is a misnomer because the fact of peace simply doesn't exist. The talk-talk of "Peace" is always useful to mask intent.) Therefore, prepare yourselves for the finest of speeches, telling us all how what evil is being done is for the greatest benefit of all. While James Baker and gang work diligently on a 'back door' escape route for American and British troops from Iraq, at the same time they tie the hands of the Israeli Army through the corrupt Ehud Olmert - a most accommodating betrayer of his own people. In brief, while all are awaiting the Baker Report publically sometime in January, their plans have been laid long ago and are now fully operational. I would suspect that you would find a complete set of plans for the demise of Israel accumulated since they (the U.S. State Department, in linkage with Saudi Arabia and Syria) failed to stop the U.N. vote for Partition in 1947, IF you could subpoena the files of the U.S. State Department, the CIA and Baker's spy-training facility at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, Houston, Texas. (3) The underlying idea put forward at the start by the Baker-Hamilton-Gates team is that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the basis for all other Muslim rage globally. To further this idea Baker, Blair (among others) will journey to Syria and Iran to offer various appeasements if they will first pull back their "Mujahadin" (Islamic warriors) from Iraq so America and Britain can withdraw with "theatrical" face-saving honor. To achieve this first step the Wannsee Conference 2006 must offer Iran, Syria and their terrorist proxies (Hezb'Allah, Hamas) something they value. They will need to offer up Israel as that payment. No doubt, Syria and Iran have already been contacted and payment discussed. This then follows the formula of the Nazi system out of Wannsee, namely to offer the Europeans the opportunity to get rid of their Jews. Naturally, the French and much (if not all) of Europe were glad to cooperate with the Nazis even though they themselves would soon be conquered. The Europeans found the trade of their cooperation on The Jewish Question to their satisfaction. Now, in 2006-7, the same offer will be made to the Arab and Muslim countries, counting on their hatred of Jews to accept a short term bribe to halt their attacks in Iraq for a brief window of escape for American and British troops. Now it is 2006. The Arabs/Muslims have used the oil money to build vast arsenals of weapons purchased from America, Europe, Russia, China, North Korea, et al. Now they feel their long sleep as primitives is over. Now they can use both the oil weapon and the other weapons against the West. Using the hysterical rage built into their system by the Koran and Mohammed's "Hadith", they pledge to make the world one giant Caliphate under "Sharia" (Strict Islamic) laws. Jews, Christians and all others must convert to Islam, die or become slaves. The "Hudna" (temporary peace accords) Baker-Blair-Bush will be brief and the global attacks will inevitably grow exponentially. The soft Free West cannot imagine what to do to save itself. They are not yet prepared to fight or face down the "Jihadists". Under Wannsee 2 run by James Baker III the idea is to attempt to bribe the two epicenters of religious terror in Iran and Syria to stand down their subversion in Iraq long enough for the U.S. to cut and run. The Wannsee Group 2 know the Hudna (brief temporary peace) will not last any longer than what is needed to pull the American and British troops out of Iraq. They also know that al Qaeda, Hezb'Allah and/or Hamas will likely continue their terror but, for them that will be a small price, since the price (they think) will only be paid by Israel. The Baker/State Department ploy will be to feed Congress and the American people the idea that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is at the core of the Islamic Terror globally and, therefore, the unreasonable pressure applied to Israel will be deemed acceptable. Recruiting such Jews as Ehud Olmert, Amir Peretz, Shimon Peres, Ehud Barak will be no problem given that they have all shown signs of prior recruitment. Olmert ran his campaign on the Olso track. Peretz similarly was for abandoning the Land. (Barak already did his part in abandoning the Lebanon Security Line resulting in the Lebanon Failure against Hezb'Allah this summer of 2006.) Olmert is trying to save his seat as Prime Minister and Kadima at any cost to the Israeli and Jewish people. Olmert will try to fire Peretz and appoint as Defense Minister Ehud Barak who still holds the stained philosophy of "Land for Peace" and whose panicky midnight retreat from Lebanon in 2000 left the vacuum for Hezb'Allah to assume power in South Lebanon, dig in and build up their Katyusha Missiles sent from Iran through Syria to cause the Second Lebanon War last summer, kidnapping 2, killing 119 and wounding 400 soldiers - killing 44 and wounding 1,489 civilians. (4) There is no proof of prior failure that will dissuade those mentioned that they were not right. The failure of Oslo keeps coming out of the grave like a voodoo zombie. Now the Wannsee 2 group is gathering as many terrorist proxies to create the pretense that Israel can rely on the word of either the Baker Boys, Iran, Syria, Hezb'Allah, Hamas, Fatah, or Abu Mazen - and always - the U.N. The Spanish, under Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, have already backed away from the prior commitment of the E.U. that Hamas must cease terror and recognize Israel before donor funds are once again pumped into terrorist groups (including Hamas). The "Trick" (being arranged) will be for Hamas to join Abu Mazen's Fatah without ceasing terror or recognizing Israel's right to exist. Hezb'Allah and Hamas say they will continue the "Intifada" until all the Land from the Jordan River to Mediterranean Sea will be in the hand of only Muslims. The Baker groups may discuss this at first but, will likely ignore it to achieve their goals of appeasing the Arabs and Muslims by eliminating the Jewish State of Israel. Groups like "Peace Now" have been working long and hard to re-partition Israel on its way to extinction both as a Jewish state and eventually its very existence. Of course, Peace Now and its clones claim they are advancing civilization but, they are a truly existential threat to the State of Israel. One could define them as merely harmless hard-core Leftists (useful idiots) but, others see them as genetically flawed Jews yearning to see the end of the Jewish race even when they themselves must die in a mass national suicide. In the meantime, Wannsee 2 moves forward, recruiting the nations to make Israel the present day Sudetenland trade to keep Hitler from invading Europe - only today they are trading Israel to keep the Muslims from taking over Europe, then America as they reach critical mass. I wonder if the new American Congress under the Democrats' control will close their eyes and let Israel slip away. Perhaps the American people, once informed, will stop the Wannsee 2 plotters. But, if the Israeli government under Ehud Olmert refuses to save their own tiny nation, why should or would others even try? I recall the John Loftus book "Secret War Against the Jews: How Western Espionage Betrayed the Jewish People" (5) wherein he describes a group of Jews called "Max" who hunted down traitors and killed them after the war. I wonder if the Jews of Israel are killed in great numbers, will their remnant also hunt down the collaborators? What will happen to the Jews of America after it become obvious that the Wannsee 2 has, with malice aforethought, arranged the destruction of Israel? Can the Wannsee 2 group have embarrassing witnesses reminding all Americans, that they participated in or initiated Genocide - again? Will America become like Germany, always knowing that they savagely murdered 6 million Jews? ### 1. "The Wannsee Conference and the 'Final Solution'" www.ushmm.org/outreach/wannsee.htm 2. "Hitler's Third Reich & World War 2 in the News" http://htlernews.cloudworth.com/adolf-eichmann-alois-brunner-gestapo.php 3. "Welcome to the James A. Baker Institute for Public Policy" Iraq: The Iraq Study Group co-chaired by James A. Baker III and Lee Hamilton, Baker Institute, Rice University, Houston 4. "2006 Israel-Lebanon Conflict: Casualties" Wikipedia http://en.wikiedia.org/wiki/2006_Israel-Lebanon_conflict 5. "Secret War Against the Jews: How Western Espionage Betrayed the Jewish People - 1920-1992" by John Loftus & Mark Aarons St. Martin's Press NY 1994 Emanuel Winston is a commentator and Middle East analyst. His articles appear often on Think-Israel and Gamla. He is a member of the Board of Directors and a research associate of the Freeman Center For Strategic Studies (http://www.freeman.org/online.htm). Contact him at winstonmedia@comcast.net |
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AMAZING TECHNOLOGY: ISRAEL DEVELOPING LASER TO DESTROY ROADSIDE BOMBS
Posted by Nurit Greenger, November 25, 2006. |
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The talent and creativity in this little country Israel does not stop. In spite of the Arabs eagerness to make Israel vanish and them bother her in any way they could, the Israelis remains prolifically inventive. Israel has proven to be is a light to the nations; if the Israelis were only left unhindered, Israel would be a greater light unto the nations. Sadly, a great deal of her budget and mental efforts go to defend itself from the ignoramus Arabists. Wow! Now there is the possibility the USA will be able to use the described below technology in Iraq against the IEDS. The IEDS have caused enormous loss of American troop lives. What a lifesaver it will be! Thank you Israel ONCE AGAIN! This news may have not yet appeared in the local newspapers so we tell you! |
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The Israeli Armaments Development Authority (Rafael) has developed a laser system to diffuse destroy roadside bombs, which have killed hundreds of US and Israeli soldiers in Iraq and Lebanon. Rafael and American defense contractor General Dynamics have produced and deployed the system, which is called Thor. It uses the concentrated energy of a high-powered laser to clear unexploded bombs and improvised explosive devices. "The directed energy from the laser may also be used to ignite combustible materials, as a standoff cutting torch, and for other combat purposes," General Dynamics said in a statement about the project ahead of US moves to purchase and deploy the system in its army. Thor combines the Israeli-produced high-energy laser with the Browning M2 12.7-mm machine gun, made by General Dynamics, to destroy explosive devices. The weapon is used with a remote operator control station or mounted on a vehicle or bomb-squad robot. The Thor system includes sensors that work either in day or nighttime conditions to detect the hidden explosive charge. The developers report that the Thor system has already been deployed in combat operations. "Thor has demonstrated combat effectiveness in operational engagements bringing an additional precision fire gun platform to the fight, while at the same time filling a unique tactical mission role," Rafael announced. The developers explain that the directed energy from the laser is capable of rapidly clearing unexploded devices by inducing a low-order burning or deflagration reaction in the explosive material from a safe distance. "The directed energy from the laser may also be used to ignite combustible materials, as a standoff cutting torch, and for other combat purposes," the developer explains. "The kinetic energy from the 12.7mm bullet fired by the M2 functions as a standoff disrupter, destroying fusing, thick-cased munitions and booby traps, also enabling distancing explosive hazards away from the force route. The M2 machine gun ultimately provides accurate, direct fire upon enemy forces and targets in either an offensive or defensive role." The Armament Development Authority is supported by Israel's Ministry of Defense and designs, develops, manufactures and supplies a wide range of advanced defense systems. Contact the poster at 4nuritg@ca.rr.com |
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AT A TORONTO UNIVERSITY, THE WAHHABIS ARE WINNING
Posted by Michael Travis, November 25, 2006. |
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This article is called "Muslims playing for power" and it was written by Sarah Boesveld. It was posted on Eyeopener (www.theeyeopener.com) November 16, 2006. |
| Ryerson University in Toronto, the Wahhabi front group calling itself the Muslim Students' Association is playing for power. And winning. As the largest student group on campus, the Muslim Students' Association has made its presence known in student politics. Former MSA vice-president Muhammad Ali Jabbar is heading up the RSU, thanks to support from the MSA. The group has monopolized use of the multifaith room, putting the true meaning of the room's name in jeopardy. Through its renewed fight against Islamophobia, the MSA has also been criticized as being increasingly polarized and turning the RSU's attention mostly toward Muslim issues. Smaller religious groups with less influence have been left wondering when their needs will be addressed. A variety of religious groups on campus have said they have felt uncomfortable trying to use the multifaith room. Eric Da Silva, president of the Catholic Student Association, says the group looked into using the room for mass but was told by RSU front desk staff that the room was "permanently booked" by Muslim students. "No one is trying to take away the space from the Muslims, we just don't want to be stepping on their toes," says Da Silva. He stresses that the group found another space to hold mass and the conflict was quickly resolved. Da Silva acknowledges that Muslims have a stricter prayer schedule than Catholics, but he challenges whether the room should be called a multifaith one. The space, which is divided to separate males from females, has rows taped on the floor for prayer and Islamic decorations adorning the walls, is only accommodating to Muslims. "I don't think the university should be calling it a multifaith room. If we went in there and decorated the room with rosary and crosses, other students would feel uncomfortable praying there," he says. The Ismaili Student's Association, a smaller Muslim student group that practices the Shiite Muslim religion, has experienced conflicting schedules with the MSA for prayer space during the month of Ramadan. On a regular basis, the smaller group uses the multi-faith room for prayer between 6 and 7 p.m. During Ramadan, when Muslims break their fast at sunset, the Ismaili students, who practice a separate form of prayer were resigned to finding somewhere else to pray. "We were pretty much in a different room every night for a month," says a member of the group who wished not to be named. "It can be frustrating at times, but you kind of have to make the best of the situation," she says of having to move so the MSA can use the room. At the semi-annual general meeting last week, RSU passed a motion to create a multifaith council in which representatives from all religious groups will come together to "learn from each other" and create "harmony on campus," Jabbar says.A Canadian Federation of Students task force tackling cultural and religious discrimination was brought to campus by members of the MSA on Nov. 1, but it only addressed the problem of Islamophobia. Anti-Semitism and racism towards other minorities were not discussed. When Ryerson campus was slammed with death threats and anti-Muslim propaganda two years ago, the MSA stepped up to the plate, denouncing these acts and doing their part to eradicate Islamophobia. "There was a lot of stuff on anti-Semitism then," says Jabbar. "There was nothing addressing Islamophobia on campus." Jonathan Vandersluis, president of Hillel, a Ryerson Jewish group, has concerns that the MSA is using its power to pay attention only to issues facing them, especially pertaining to the recent task force. "It came out of a campaign that was saying no to racism, Islamophobia, and anti-semitism. How come we're only addressing the needs of Muslims?" he asks. Vandersluis says Hillel did not get involved in the taskforce because they weren't informed about it at the time. Getting involved is something the MSA has prided itself on. Jabbar is grateful for the MSA endorsement and high voter turnout for his election victory last spring. "I'm not going to deny it," says Jabbar. "The support I got from the MSA, I really appreciated." "When something positive happens, it rejuvinates our community," he says of his election win and the support he gathered. Sarah Turnbull, who ran against Jabbar for RSU president last year, was surprised that the MSA's endorsement of Jabbar went as far as it did. "I had my Muslim friends told not to vote for me because if they didn't vote for Jabbar, the Muslims would be suppressed," she says. "In the end some of my strongest supporters were Muslims and they were more horrified by this then even I was." Turnbull also says that the MSA is what led to the "United" slate to choose Jabbar for president. "It was clearly Nora Loreto's turn (to run for president)," she says of the experienced and vocal RSU politico. Jabbar says Loreto's decision to run for vice president education was her decision alone. "That's what she holds true to her heart," he says, adding that the current slate discussed who would be best in each RSU position. Jabbar says that everyone is doing what they want to do and are working toward representing the student body as a whole, not just Muslims. As in most democracies, there are some who feel they are not being represented by the government. There are Muslim students on campus who feel their views are not represented well by the student union. RSU has put too much emphasis on Muslim issues at the cost of representing the needs of all student groups, says a Muslim Ryerson Business student who asked not to be named out of fear of retribution "Everything they're doing is Muslim, Muslim, Muslim. Whenever I hear them at their meetings that's the rhetoric they're using," he says. The 1,200 student membership of the MSA is responsible for its strong voice in the RSU, not Jabbar's presidency says MSA president Waleed Elsayed. "It was the same when Rebecca Rose was in (the RSU president's) office. She heard our concerns and so does Muhammad Ali Jabbar. Whoever the next president is, because we have an all inclusive campus, will hear our concerns too," says Elsayed. He says that the multifaith room is used most often by the MSA because of their great numbers and their prayer schedule which demands prayers five times a day. "In the future we may very well need another room just for Muslim students," he says if other groups wish to use the room more often. Elsayed says the political involvement of the MSA has not been intentionally influential. "We want to be a part of the university. Politically, there's nothing that we want, we have our prayer space in the new building." At other schools across Canada, Muslim students are still struggling to find a space of their own. Thomas Butko, professor at University of Alberta and expert on politics and Islam says the issue of prayer space at his university campus is exactly the opposite of Ryerson's. "On the most part, a lot of these multifaith areas have been dominated by Christians," he says, adding that at U of A, Muslims are a minority who don't want to "rock the boat." As the largest religious group on Ryerson's campus, Butko is not surprised that the MSA is dipping its hand into politics. "It makes common sense that larger numbers would try to be more promoters of their interests," he says. Butko says that because religion is seen as private, a large group going public with their interests can be interpreted as controversial. "People tend to be all or nothing about religion," he says. It was only 20 years ago that the Lord's prayer could be heard in public elementary school classrooms across Canada. "Many Christians still don't see this as a mixing of public and private," he says. At smaller campuses like University of New Brunswick, the MSA has little to no political influence in student government. After three years there are 70 members and have only recently gained prayer space. "We don't have plans to be represented in the student union," says MSA president Yahya Abuamer. "We don't propogate our religions, we're just showing education to erase misconceptions about our faith." El-Tantawy Attia, executive director of Masjid Toronto says it's important for Muslims to be involved in student politics. "You should not penalize an active group if the others are not." Attia commends Ryerson's MSA for its great work in helping the needy during Ramadan. It's strong numbers allows the group to make positive contributions to the Ryerson community, such as a $7,000 donation to the Community Food Room with funds raised from a fast-a-thon. Comment posted By joseph_walker on 11/23/06 I'm curious as to the source of Thomas Butko's comments regarding the status of "a lot of these multifaith areas" at the University of Alberta. As far as I am aware, there has been only one "multi-faith" designated area (currently found at SUB 011) for as long as I have been a member of the U of A Interfaith Chaplains' Association (going on 8 or so years now.) And that area has been used quite heavily by the MSA. I know this from first hand experience, and from having an office located 12 feet from the door of said multi-faith room. Perhaps the situation described by Thomas Butko existed some time ago, but for up to date information on the usage of such space, the schedule is publicly posted. The EyeOpener might also contact Greg Idell, who is in charge of facility bookings, and they will see that the situation is not quite as Mr Butko makes it out to be. Yours, Rev. Joseph Walker
Contact the poster at michaelmgr@gmail.com |
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GRANDMA
Posted by Lawrence Uniglicht, November 25, 2006. |
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Homicide/suicide bombers, the techno human hybrid weapons of choice of Islamic fanatics, perhaps aware that mobile delivery systems more easily infiltrate pin pointed targets than static delivery systems wrecking a maximum amount of terror and destruction with but one Muslim martyr, will not lose appeal unless and until Islamic moderates vociferously condemn the practice, citing references from the Koran suggesting it violates Islamic law. Period!!! I offer a recent insidious incident of Muslim grandmother Fatima Omar Mahmud al-Najar, blessed with more than 40 grandchildren, blowing herself asunder while wounding two Israeli soldiers near the Gaza town of Beit Lahiya, being glorified on television in a so-called martyr's video, as proof that the mind set of a deviant subculture, having metastasized to become the dominating defining force within that culture, is so mentally deranged that there is absolutely no limit to what it will not only condone but what in fact swells its sadistically mutated soul with pride. No matter what tragic loss possessed this older lady to commit such a subhuman act of suicide bent on murder, the very fact this horrific end to life, especially embodied by one grandmother responsible for bringing so much life into the world, is so glorified and indeed venerated for all the world to see, speaks volumes as to the perilously psychopathic collective state of mind of those terrorist glorifiers infecting and substantially directing Islam, a faith worshipped by a sizable portion of humanity. The very fact that Islamic moderates, as well as sane non-Muslim movers and shakers worldwide, remain deafeningly silent to this appalling incident, perhaps numbed by all the other gruesome violence and consequential human misery now occurring throughout our besieged orb, bodes ominously for the health and well being of Earth's dominant species as we enter a new millennium. Secular life and limb has little value to those who influence and
perpetrate horrendous acts of violence against both soldiers and
innocent civilians, ethnicity notwithstanding. Dysfunctional Iraq
produces ever-increasing amounts of casualties inflicted by both
homicide/suicide martyring Muslim maniacs as well as kindred spirit
Muslim murderers more inclined to rig cars with lethal explosives,
recently snuffing out over 140 Iraqi Muslim lives as well as maiming
twice as many in the slums of Sadr City Baghdad. Might such behavior
be condoned in Islam's presumably holy Koran? Does a vengeful Allah
cheer on such 'virtuous' followers, even of the grandmotherly variety?
If movers and shakers thus keepers of Islamic principles and
traditions as delineated in their Koran refuse to defend its gospel by
vigorously castigating those who commit the unspeakable, screaming
'God is Great' before detonating, than non-Muslims must presume
Islam's holy book is nothing more than a handbook for sadists
including snuff addicts, like the ones who dare to glorify a sick
grandmother shrouded in a suicide belt. Would Jews or Christians or
for that matter members of any other faith allow human filth to
prostitute their most sacred texts with interpretations supporting
acts of blatant savagery? Is there any limit to what moderate Muslims
might endure concerning the blasphemy of their religion, or is the
term moderate Muslim an oxymoron? One has cause to wonder?
Lawrence Uniglicht is a
career civil servant, working for the Social Security Administration.
He advocates for the State of Israel with an American perspective. He
writes, "Advocating for the disrespected underdog has been my passion,
no doubt Israel falls into that category." Contact him by email at
luniglicht@snip.net
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ISRAEL AND THE ASPIRATION FOR PEACE
Posted by Nurit Greenger, November 24, 2006. |
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Israel's ONLY peace plan should be: To DEMAND from all Western Nations that want to see peace prevails in the region to SEMAND that the ENTIRE Arab World end its war against Israel; nothing more BUT for sure nothing less! Otherwise, it is now the time to call the Arab bluff. The ONLY solution to all this "repackaging the offer of a Palestinians state" BALAGAN (means: chaos) is for Israel to END her WEAKNESS and begin shouting, at the top of her political lungs, the truth! Israel must become decisive and aggressive; it should no longer view these Qassam rockets attacks coming at her daily and the endless potential homicide bombing they dismantle daily as a mere nuisance, but go with full force and actively dig in and FIGHT the terror to try bringing it to its end! Below are three articles, from Israel, the UK and the US, with views about the nature of the endless conflict between the Palestinians and Israel. The Israeli view: (1) As long as the Arabs insist on 3-million Arab "refugees" returning to Israel, the Arabs are not serious about peace. The Palestinian refugees "right to return" demand is greatly the fault of UNRWA, which crafted refugee definition solely applicable to Palestinians -- refugee status with no expiration date -- continues indefinitely for generations. (2) As long as the Arabs DO NOT stop the state sponsored Jew hating incitements in their media, Arabs are not serious about peace, and (3) As long as the Arabs DO NOT stop supporting Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist groups, Arabs are not serious about peace. The UK MP view: Until now, all of Israel's compromises and desires for peace have been unsuccessful ONLY because Israel's willingness to compromise for peace has never been enough for the Arabs, and she is yet to find a serious and genuine interlocutor so that peace stands a chance. It is time the Left and the media focus its attention on finding a willing and genuine peace partner for Israel, rather than concentrating on the ONLY ONE player in the region that always displayed the utmost seriousness to having peace. The US view: Last summer it was Hizbollah's tactic; now it is Hamas, indiscriminately launching rockets into civilian populated areas, hoping to kill as many innocents as possible. Hamas has no plans to stop the rockets attacks voluntarily and the international outrage machine can only find outrage when it comes to Israel. In the meantime, the terrorists are fulfilling their last June promise to make Sderot residents leave home and turn it into a ghost town. However, in order to defeat the likes of Hamas and Hezbollah, staying in Sderot is the simplest best way act to fight terrorism. Sderot residents must maintain firm stand something the Israeli government have long forgotten to have. |
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"Tell the truth about peace"
Following Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's US visit and a "new" initiative floated by France, Spain, and Italy, Vice Premier Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met at the weekend to look for ways to "break the deadlock" with the Palestinians. Olmert himself has said he wants to "get the ball rolling," and reportedly suggested new versions of his convergence plan while in Washington. The pressure on Israel and the US to fill the diplomatic vacuum, following the post-war political collapse of convergence, seems to be growing. A vacuum, however, cannot be filled by simply repackaging the policies that failed to fill it, namely the Quartet's road map and Israel's unilateral withdrawal track. Both these policies have become stalled, or worse, because they ignore the root cause of the problem. Both pretend that the obstacle to peace is the lack of a Palestinian state, when in reality the obstacle to such a state--and to Arab-Israeli peace--is the Arab refusal to accept Israel's right to exist. It has been obvious at least since 2000, when Ehud Barak offered Yasser Arafat a state on a silver platter, that the Palestinians could have a state over almost all of the West Bank and all of Gaza whenever they wanted. The fight is not over the remaining narrow strips of land but over something much more fundamental, whether the Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world are willing to give up their desire to destroy Israel itself. Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan was quoted over the weekend as declaring: "I promise you, the occupation [Israel] won't last long. We've seen this in history. States based on oppression have been taken apart. ... We'll continue to fight it until we return to the homes we were expelled from in the Palestine of 1948." This point of view cannot be dismissed as the province of extremists. First, Hamas is the party in power, not a fringe group. But even Mahmoud Abbas, as MEMRI founder Yigal Carmon points out, is quite radical and specific when it comes to the "right of return," claiming that 3 million Palestinians must be allowed to "return" to Israel. In the Arab and Muslim world today there are the "radicals" who openly call for Israel's destruction and support terrorism as a means to accomplish this. But there is no significant opposing peace camp arguing that Israel does have a right to exist, or even a pragmatic camp openly arguing for peace for the Arabs' own sake. In such an atmosphere, no peace process worthy of the name is possible, and new American, Israeli, or European plans repackaging the offer of a Palestinian state will not only be for naught, but will tend to encourage Arab radicalism. In this context, our government has an obligation to say the truth, not just play along with harmful myths. Israel should have a peace plan: for Western nations that want peace to demand that the Arab world end its war against Israel. The Palestinians and Arab states often claim to be ready for peace. The well-worn pattern, however, is this: Israel yearns for peace while being wary of "peace plans;" the Arabs attack and prepare for war while claiming to embrace "peace." It is time for Israel to urge the US to call the Arab bluff. If Arab leaders really want peace, they should help the Palestinians out of their suicidal stalemate by setting three critical examples: 1) meeting with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and their own capitals, 2) calling on Palestinians to give up the dream of "returning" to Israel by the millions, 3) beginning to settle Palestinian "refugees" rather than continuing to use them as pawns against Israel. In addition the Arab states could be called upon to stop fomenting anti-Semitism and supporting groups such as Hamas and Hizbullah. We understand that if Israel advocates such a policy, we will not be able to persuade the US, let alone Europe, to adopt it overnight. Yet if Israel is unwilling to tell the truth and advocate for its own interests, who will? How can we expect any other country to stand for a sensible policy with a chance of success if we ourselves do not? "Why I'm backing Israel"
The left and the Islamists portray me as a Zionist neocon, but it takes two sides to make a peace deal Some said I should have my head examined after I agreed to become the chief executive of a pro-Israel advocacy group, the Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre. But people said the same when I joined Labour in the mid-80s. There is never a wrong time to do the right thing and if, like me, you are convinced of Israel's cause, then why not support Israel and why not now? I have always been a practical idealist, a non-Jew who has always believed in a two-state solution. But I have never been more concerned about the false reality many people are constructing around Israel and the Middle East, here and abroad. Our polling shows that opinion formers know that Israel is a fully functioning democracy, but care more about what Israel does than what Israel is. Since its birth 58 years ago, Israel has always been prepared to compromise for peace. From Begin's agreement with Sadat in 1979 to the Arafat-Barak talks at Camp David in 2000, Israeli leaders have been prepared to challenge their own people in pursuit of peace. Last summer Israel withdrew from Gaza, angry settlers and all. Yet the terror from the Gaza Strip has continued - more than 1,000 rockets have been fired into southern Israel in the past year. Since 2000, nine fatalities have been caused by Qassam missiles. Some media have reported the panic these missiles have caused but they downplay the impact because of the small scale of fatalities compared with those on the Palestinian side. My husband, a British soldier, is currently serving a tour of duty in Iraq. His unit has come under mortar fire nearly every night for the past six months. Not many service personnel have been killed by these missiles but every soldier fears that the next one might have his or her name on it. Do you think that a child, a parent or a grandmother in one of the towns bordering Gaza thinks there have been "only" nine fatalities? Can you imagine what that does to a civilian population? We need to think carefully about the consequences of questioning the defensive reactions of a nation-state that is constantly bombarded by an enemy calling for its destruction, especially after it has withdrawn from Lebanon and Gaza. Would we as British citizens accept a single rocket on a British town, let alone hundreds? The commentators' objection is that the response is "disproportionate". But how does a nation-state defend itself against a terrorist organisation or organisations that are part of, and deliberately hide behind, ordinary citizens? Of course the Israeli military and all military forces must act ethically. But if the number of civilian casualties continues to be the main issue, there is no incentive for the terrorists to stop using the civilian population as a shield. We live in dangerous times when, in parts of the left especially, you can't be a friend to Islam or to Muslims unless you are anti-Israel. That is exactly what al-Qaida wants us to think. Events in Rochdale at the last election represent a microcosm of what we are sleepwalking into globally. The Islamists and the left argued that, because I supported Israel and its right to exist, all my work for my Muslim constituents was a lie. They suggested I was an opportunistic, neocon Zionist, aiming to dupe them. Israel's willingness to compromise for peace has never been enough, because Israel alone cannot gain peace. The Palestinians and others in the region also have to want peace. Israel needs a serious interlocutor so that peace can stand a chance. So my question to the left is this: why not concentrate your attention there, rather than on the one player in the region who has always been serious about peace? Lorna Fitzsimons (lf@bicom.org.uk) is chief executive of the Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre and the former Labour MP for Rochdale. "A town under siege"
The international outrage machine is ginned up again, and all but seven members of the U.N. General Assembly recently voted to condemn Israel for its military incursion into Gaza. The buzzword -- recycled from Israel's summer war with Hezbollah -- is "overreaction." To what is Israel "overreacting?" Hamas, using the tactic that Hezbollah licensed from it this summer, is indiscriminately launching rockets into civilian areas, hoping to kill as many innocents as possible. Israel's current military action is far from an overreaction. It is, in fact, a delayed reaction. Rockets have been raining down in southern Israel for years now, and only this summer did the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) finally execute a sustained response. For more than five years, the residents of Sderot, a small development town of 26,000 in the Negev desert near the Gaza border, have been subjected to a constant barrage of Qassam rockets fired by Hamas, or the democratically elected government of the Palestinians. More than 3,000 rockets have hit Sderot and the roughly 45 smaller communities in the area. Though former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his successor, Ehud Olmert, both had promised a strong response to attacks against civilians launched from Gaza, Hamas had suffered little more than the occasional military strike against its terrorists following a particularly "successful" Qassam strike. (One such response came after a Qassam exploded meters from the personal residence of Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz, who lives in Sderot.) The military waited until late this June to attack Hamas aggressively and provide the response promised by both Mr. Sharon and Mr. Olmert. But that was actually triggered by the kidnapping of 19-year-old soldier Gilad Shalit -- even though rocket firings into Sderot had become unrelenting several weeks earlier. While the Israeli campaign against Hezbollah failed to achieve any of its stated objectives, the military scored significant success with its actions in Gaza this summer. But shortly after the rate of rocket attacks fell to just a few per week, military activities largely ceased. Not surprisingly, Hamas redoubled its efforts, and Qassam rockets again became a daily reality in Sderot and surrounding communities. Perhaps to divert attention from its failure to defeat Hezbollah this summer, Israel seems determined to degrade Hamas' ability to launch rockets at innocent civilians. But that apparent determination could crumble in the face of mounting international outcry. Never mind that the democratically elected government of the Palestinians is able to target civilians with impunity. As bad as things are in Sderot right now -- one woman was killed this month, and another person is near death as of this writing -- none of this is new. To appreciate just how much a daily fact of life Qassams have become, Sderot's school playground has four above-ground, concrete bomb shelters. The rectangular tunnels sit on each corner of the relatively small playground. So many are needed so close together because there is typically just 10-15 seconds warning, if any, before a Qassam hits. Qassams have hit all around the school. Remnants of several rockets can be seen in the street in front of it. Shrapnel is lodged in the sidewalk railing meters from the playground. Shrapnel is even on the playground itself. Not surprisingly, the residents of Sderot are both bitter and angry. Even with the recent military actions, they feel forgotten. Actually, they have been forgotten. This June, Vice Premier and former Prime Minister Shimon Peres brushed off mounting concern about a surge in attacks with the quip, "Qassams shmassams." Echoing that theme, an IDF spokesman described Qassam rockets to this columnist in July as "dumb firecrackers." Thing is, these "dumb firecrackers" kill people. Here is the Associated Press account of one Qassam attack in September 2004: "The blast blew out the windows of a house, showered a minibus with shrapnel and killed two children of Ethiopian descent. Dorit Benesay, 2, and Yuval Abeva, 4, were playing under an olive tree outside Yuval's grandmother's house when the rocket struck, emergency workers and neighbors said. "'After the rocket fell, a man, maybe 20 years old, took the boy in his arms. He was in shock. He ran with the boy, he didn't know what to do,' said Zina Shurov, 48, a neighbor. 'I saw the boy, he had no legs.'" Hamas has no plans to stop voluntarily, and the international outrage machine won't ask it to. The Islamic terrorists are merely fulfilling a promise made this June: "We have decided to turn Sderot into a ghost town. We won't stop firing the rockets until they all leave." Hope somehow remains alive in Sderot. Rabbi David Fendel believes that the simple act of staying put is his best way to fight terrorism. In fact, he's even doing more. With a new religious school and community center under construction, Rabbi Fendel is working to make Sderot stronger. Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, has visited Sderot and calls Rabbi Fendel "a real hero in the war on terror." He explains, "Rabbi Fendel is not only helping Sderot, but he has taken the kind of firm stand that the Israeli government needs to in order to defeat the likes of Hamas and Hezbollah." Contact the poster at 4nuritg@ca.rr.com |
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OPERATION BOJINKA
Posted by Michael Travis, November 24, 2006. |
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Note: The news coming out of London England about the thwarted plot to blow up airliners between England and United States by bringing explosive components on board and assembling bombs may be shocking, but to Annie Jacobsen, it's not surprising. Even in June of 2004, when Annie Jacobsen took her fateful flight on Northwest flight 327, it's that very scenario -- different individuals each bringing different bomb-making materials on board, assembling and detonating them while the plane is in the air -- that she is convinced was being practiced. In this excerpt from her book, Annie Jacobsen writes that this concept of bringing bomb elements on board for later assembly is nothing new: as far back as 1994 terrorists were scheming ways to do it. Below is an excerpt from Annie Jacobsen's Terror in the Skies: Why 9/11 Could Happen Again, Spence Publishing. Annie Jacobsen writes about business, finance and terrorism for a variety of national and international magazines and webzines. A graduate of Princeton University, she lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and two sons. |
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That terrorists want to build bombs in aircraft bathrooms is not news. The tactic dates from at least 1994, when Ramzi Yousef, along with his uncle, Kahlid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), set out to blow up eleven or twelve U.S. passenger jets over the Pacific Ocean, simultaneously, by building bombs in the aircrafts' bathrooms. The terrorists involved in the plot were not to be suicide bombers. Instead, they would each build a bomb on one leg of the eleven or twelve flights, set the bomb's timer for later, and then deplane. If the plan seems overly ambitious, its two masterminds were certainly capable of pulling it off. Ramzi Yousef was the terrorist who tried to bring down the World Trade Center (WTC-1) in 1993 with a truck bomb. Yousef's co-conspirator, KSM, would go on to mastermind the 9/11 attack. The plot was called Operation Bojinka (bojinka being slang in many Arabic dialects for explosion), and it was Yousef's next big operation after WTC-1. Yousef had been a kind of one-man terrorist show, barely funded and not very well organized. After his success with WTC-1, that changed. Yousef became respected as an international terrorist. The U.S. government wanted him so badly that they put a $2 million bounty on his head and air-dropped 32,000 matchbooks with Yousef's photo on them in rural Pakistan, hoping to find him. Yousef was able to evade authorities as he traveled extensively throughout South East Asia. He was now funded by his wealthy uncle, KSM, as well as his uncle's wealthy business partner, Mohammed Jamal Khalifa, -- Osama Bin Laden's brother in law. For Operation Bojinka, Yousef set about perfecting a tiny explosive device that could be smuggled onto an aircraft in separate parts -- parts disguised as seemingly innocent items. Yousef first tested one of these bombs, on December 1, 1994, in the Greenbelt Theatre in Manila. By placing one of his miniature bombs under a theatre seat, Yousef simulated the physical conditions he'd later face on a plane. The bomb successfully exploded a few hours later. Fortunately the seat was empty. No one was killed but a few, local theatergoers were hurt. Yousef worked for another ten days to perfect his tiny bomb. On December 11, he carried out another test for the Bojinka plot, only this time he did it on an actual plane. Posing as an Italian member of parliament -- he traveled with a fraudulent Italian passport identifying himself as one 'Armaldo Forlani' -- Yousef bought a one-way ticket, from Manila to Cebu, on Philippines Air flight 434. Yousef carried the components of his bomb on him, including nitroglycerin hidden in a bottle of contact lens solution and bomb stabilizers disguised as cotton balls. In the hollowed-out heels of his shoes, Yousef hid batteries. During the flight, Yousef asked the flight attendant if he could change seats, telling the flight attendant he needed a better view. In truth, he wanted to occupy a seat over the plane's fuselage near the exit door. Half-way through the flight, Yousef assembled the bomb in the aircraft's bathroom. He returned to his seat and placed the bomb inside the life vest underneath. He set the timer for several hours later and deplaned. On the next leg of the flight, the bomb exploded. The twenty-three-year-old Japanese businessman, Haruki Ikegami, who was sitting where Yousef had sat died a miserable death, his legs separated from the rest of his body. Fortunately for the 273 other passengers and twenty flight crew on board the 747, the captain was able to make a heroic, emergency landing on nearby Okinawa Island. The bomb was too small to destroy the plane in mid-air and Yousef set about fine-tuning his calculations. A few weeks later, shortly before Operation Bojinka was set to unveil, Ramzi Yousef was building a bomb in his Manila apartment when one of the bombs exploded. A fire started and Yousef fled. Manila police discovered a cache of information about the terrorist on his computer, which interrupted Bojinka. Had the plot succeeded, it's likely that four thousand civilians would have been killed. Some of the details are extraordinary: Yousef needed his bombs to explode in seats above the planes' central fuel tanks, adjacent to the wings. When the bombs went off, they would ignite the plane's fuel, causing a massive, secondary explosion. Investigators would also learn that Yousef wanted the bombs to explode over heavily populated areas of the United States. In the Observer article, from February 2004, Burke reported that terrorists were again working on the nightmare scenario of building bombs in aircraft bathrooms. Burke detailed a 2002 incident involving a Moroccan jet landing in Metz, France, one that had 100 grams of pentrite (the explosive used by shoe-bomber Richard Reid) hidden in an armrest, and explained that French officials believe the explosives were placed on the jet in a "trial run." At the time of the article, the incidents had only ever amounted to dry runs. In August 2004 that changed. The Bojinka scenario became real. On the night of August 24, 2004, two civilian aircraft in Russia exploded, almost simultaneously, killing all 90 passengers and crew. The mid-air explosions were the deadly result of terrorists' bombs. The event was widely reported and has since been confirmed by the U.S. Department of State. Not as widely reported was that Russian investigators believe the detonations occurred in the two planes' toilets. Contact the poster at michaelmgr@gmail.com |
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REVISITING THE 1930'S
Posted by Michael Travis, November 24, 2006. |
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It's Like Deja Vu All Over Again According to a report issued by the World Jewish Congress last week, anti-Semitic sentiments in the European continent have doubled since the beginning of the summer. And according to Professor Dina Porat, co-coordinator of the conference, the research showed a significant change in the attitudes toward Jews. And not just among extremists, but also in moderate sectors of the European population. Porat heads Tel Aviv University's Chaim Rosenberg School of Jewish Studies and the Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of anti-Semitism and Racism. The report included examples of anti-Semitic cartoons reminiscent of the Nazi era published in places like Norway, Mexico and even the UK. The report also said that Ahmadinejad's repeated threats against Israel has emboldened the anti-Semites to come out of the closet, so to speak. Congress President Edgar Bronfman cited Iran's nuclear development activities as the most dangerous threat to the Jews and Israel since the Holocaust. Roger Kukerman, President of the Committee Representing the Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF) said that when Ahmadinejad vows to kill the Jews and "wipe Israel of the map", the remarks should be taken seriously. Kukerman added that the only difference between the president of the Islamic Republic and the founder of the Nazi party is one of weapons. Ahmadinejad is suspected of having nuclear weapons. Adolph Hitler had none. In Germany, a poll conducted by the German Friedrich Ebert Fund surveyed 5,000 German citizens about their attitude towards the Jews. The findings showed that 18 percent of Germans believe Jews have too much influence in the country. Fourteen percent said that Jews are more inclined to cheat in business. And an equal number said Jews are not fit to live in Germany because they are different. The poll found anti-Semitism is more profound in the West than in the former East Germany. And it was more prevalent among wealthy West Germans than their poorer countrymen. In addition, the poll revealed trends that harken back to the bad old days of the 1930's. # 15 percent believe Germans are naturally superior to other people And a study commissioned for the United Nations puts the blame for the war against Islamofacism squarely on Israel's shoulders. We may wish to think of the Arab-Israeli conflict as just one regional conflict amongst many," said Kofi Annan, who leaves his post as UN Secretary General at the end of the year. "It is not. No other conflict carries such a powerful symbolic and emotional charge among people far removed from the battlefield." Annan went on to say, "As long as the Palestinians live under occupation, exposed to daily frustration and humiliation, and as long as Israelis are blown up in buses and in dance halls, so long will passions everywhere be inflamed," Annan said. The fact that Israel is "occupying" ISRAEL and not the Palestinian territories was of no interest to the committee members, evidently. And while Annan mentioned Israelis being blown up in busses and dance halls, he didn't mention that those targets were INSIDE Israel, and not in some undefined area of 'Israeli occupation'. The report was drafted in the past year by a group of twenty 'impartial' global leaders, including, believe it or not, former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and the noted Marxist apologist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. The group making the recommendations was formed in 2005 as part of the U.N.-backed "Alliance of Civilizations" initiative. It was sponsored by the Socialist government of Spain and co-sponsored by Turkey, which is 99% Islamic. The report also called for the development of a report "analyzing the Israeli-Palestinian landscape dispassionately and objectively," and "establishing clearly the conditions that must be met to find a way out of this crisis." The fact is, the conditions that must be met to find a way out of this crisis have ALREADY been established. The conditions call for Hamas to recognize Israel's right to exist and renounce violence and terrorism. It isn't Israeli policy that is an obstacle to peace. Israeli policy is to negotiate for peace with representatives that WANT peace. The report recommended renewed efforts toward the goal of establishing "two fully sovereign and independent states coexisting side by side in peace and security." Israel has already agreed to that goal. The majority of Palestinians prefer their vision of one state INSTEAD of Israel, but the report reserved its sympathy for the plight of the Palestinians. Because peace with Israel is not the objective. Peace WITHOUT Israel is. This was written by Hal Lindsey. |
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A Language Our Enemy Understands With our cities threatened with nuclear, chemical and biological bombs, it is long past time to identify our enemy, determine what is most cherished by him and assure him that he will lose all of them if he carries out these threats against our cities. First, our enemy is Islamic Fundamentalism, which believes it is Allah's will to kill as many infidels as possible in the quest to establish Islamic rule over the world. These Jihadists' most hated countries are Israel and America, which they see as the cultural centers of the most hated infidels -- Jews and Christians. Our enemy is uniquely difficult to combat because he is scattered among many nations around the world. He is often disguised and hidden among Muslims who have no desire to be part of their onslaught against innocent civilians throughout the Western Civilization. Second, we must honestly face the scope and viability of our enemy's threats. What are the threats and can he actually carry them out? All reliable western intelligence agencies believe the leader of militant Fundamentalism, al Qaeda, has acquired a number of suite case seize nuclear, biological and chemical bombs. Some even believe that Osama bin Laden has at least one nuclear warhead that could obliterate New York City if smuggled into port on a container ship. Assessment of threat -- it is very real and will happen soon. Third, what does our enemy cherish most? The dedicated Islamic 'Jihadist' does not value any of the things that normal human beings do. He does not value his life, but will gladly give it in what he perceives as 'Allah's will.' He is even willing that the lives of family and fellow Muslims be sacrificed if the infidel enemy retaliates against them for being attacked. He believes they will go immediately to Paradise as part of the great crusade to establish Islamic rule over the earth. What our enemy cherishes most are the sacred places where Mohammad received and implemented the Koran and the religion of Islam. They believe that all of Arabia is sacred soil and that no 'infidels' should be permitted to enter it. The two most sacred places are Mecca and Medina. So there is his only Achilles heel. Now let's speak the only language our enemy will understand. We must issue the most solemn and certain warning to Muslim Fundamentalists -- that if even one of our cities are attacked with a nuclear, biological or chemical bomb, then we will give twenty four hours for innocent Muslims to evacuate Mecca and Medina before we obliterate them with nuclear missiles. I realize this sounds harsh -- but it is the only action that our enemies will take seriously and affect him in something he truly cherishes and does not want to loose. For then his religion would be forever flawed. Of all religions, Islam places the most value on its holy places. The thought of no more pilgrimages to Mecca would be overwhelming. This is called a 'Haj" and is one of the essential parts of being a Muslim. Every Muslim is required to make a 'Haj' in his lifetime if humanly possible. I have believed this to be the only threat our enemy could take seriously for at least 20 years. But in the light of America's present peril, I felt it necessary to openly voice it as our only option to prevent a catastrophe from which we may never recover. May our God protect us and give us the courage to act now. Contact the poster at michaelmgr@gmail.com |
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POSITIVE IMPACT OF THE RESOLUTION & MEDIA EXPOSURE
Posted by Salah Choudhury, November 24, 2006. |
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Greetings from Dhaka!
As you all know that, Bangladesh government was almost desparate in convicting me through the controversial court of radical judge Mohammed Momin Ullah. Despite repeated requests from the esteemed members of the US Congress, the false sedition charge was not dropped. Rather the Charge was framed twice; on 18th October 2006 and 13th November 2006. In the history of Bangladesh, there is no such instance of framing the charge for two times. But, in my case, it did happen. Meanwhile, esteemed members of US Congress have very kindly pressed a Resolution in the Congress (Resolution # 1080), as well European Parliament has very kindly passed a bill recently, which got tremendous coverage in Bangladeshi media. Meanwhile, Wall Street Journal, New York Sun, Daily Pennsylvanian, The Australian, Georgia Straight, Chicago Tribune, Jewish Herald Voice, Jerusalem Post and other prestigious newspapers have kindly published news items on me. A number of radio stations in USA and Canada also aired programs (interviewed me as well) on me. KGO Radio aired an excellent 55 minute program on me. Meanwhile, I have been contacted by an European journalist, who wishes to interview during next week. In fact, there will be two journalists from two of the European newspapers. A large number of Human Rights groups have also extended their support to me. Several excellent individuals are also working to help me. American Jewish Committee is doing everything possible to attract attention of important people worldwide to my case. Such exposures and resolutions have certainly put great impact on the minds of Bangladesh authorities. Many of the important people are now actively considering the possible adverse impact if I am convicted. And of course, we are still continuing our efforts through Weekly Blitz in promoting interfaith understanding, confronting religious hatred and advocating relations between Bangladesh and Israel. Even before 2003, it was considered to be a kind of 'taboo' to pronounce openly the name of Israel or praise Jewish people in Bangladesh. But, the trend got a huge blow when we published an exclusive interview of Israeli intellectual Professor Ada Aharoni or even publsihed the news on various Israeli organizations. My brother, Dr. Richard Benkin's writings were published in Bangladeshi press, which was again a very positive step. Now, the readers of Blitz knows for sure, what is our editorial policies and ideologies. Still they are continuing to read Blitz, even much carefully than they did before. Although, for some unknown reason, advertisers are affraid to place advertisements in Blitz. They think, adverisiting in Blitz might welcome unwarranted hassle for them from the radicals. And, very recently, it was even proved that, radicals are also reading Blitz to know what we are saying. My lawyer Advocate Goswami has already filed an appeal with the Higher Judiciary challenging the charge. Possibly we can expect some result from the Higher Judiciary in next couple of years. The advertisement section of Blitz is receiving inquiries from some Indian companies, who are showing interest in placing their ads in our newspaper. We have been providing them with Advertisement Rates, although till date, none of them placed their advertisements. But, their inquiries are seen as a positive sign by our advertisement section. Even though Weekly Blitz crossed it's first year of publication during this second term, we are still banned from attending state functions, and are also deprived of various advertisements from state owned enterprises and organizations. Even some of the local periodicals, with fractional circulation compared to that of Blitz, are getting advertisements amounting to a few hundred thousand Taka each year. The case, which we lodged against the attacker Mufti Noor Hussain Noorani under Explosives Act in July 2006, is still pending with Shahbagh Police Station and the government neither interrogated nor arrested Noorani for this crime. Another case, which had been lodged against the attackers belonging to the Cultural Wing of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is kept pending for investigation with Criminal Investigation Department (CID) since October this year. According to information from various sources, government is hesitant in arresting and interrogating Noorani as this might open several mesteries behind the bomb attack. Noorani might name the conspirators, which would ultimately unveil several infleuntial radical leaders. On the other hand, CID is hesitant is taking necessary actions against BNP men, fearing a victory of this party in the next general election and coming back of BNP thugs with much power and influence. Moreover, even though there is a caretaker government in Bangladesh, the administrative control still remains in the grips of BNP people. But, I believe, if the media exposure will continue and the Resolution # 1080 is passed in the US Congress, it will enhance pressure on Bangladesh government is according justice to me. Yesterday, British Trade minister met President Iajuddin Ahmed of Bangladesh in the Presidential Palace and pledged that during 2007 Britain will invest US$ 6 Billion in Bangladesh. I know, an esteemed MP raised my issue in the House of Commons but till date there is no further action from their side. Many other countries, such as, Australia and Canada are also solid development partners of Bangladesh. If there will be some actions from those governments too, the chance of finally dropping the false charge will become brighter. My profound regards to friends and supporters in USA, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Italy, Britain, East European Countries, Israel, India, Western Europe, Brazil and many other places who are very kindly extending their valued cooperation to me. My special thanks to members of print and electronic media in the world. Regards,
Salah Choudhury is a journalist, columnist, author, amd editor of "Weekly Blitz". Email him at salahuddinshoaibchoudhury@yahoo.com |
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OUR STATE OF CONFUSION
Posted by Nurit Greenger, November 24, 2006. |
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Peace at any price is not peace rather it is hunda (translates from Islamists' expression: time to take a break to rebuild and then attack again). Israel disengagement from Gaza was nothing but a deadly delusion! Anyone's in Israel having aspiration to peace with the Palestinians has deadly delusion! There is a saying: "Humankind cannot bear very much reality." It is clear that Israel's current [No]leadership cannot bear much reality? There is a saying: "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." No leadership of any country should be allowed to be in a position to flagrantly forget (devastating) history they must learn from so it is not repeated. At present Israel's leadership, thus Israel is totally disoriented. For his survival, PM Olmert is playing government "chairs' shuffling." Israel's "ulcer of disarray" is at its advancing stage. As I said many times before: the bazaar negotiations with Israel foes should have ended yesterday. If any of the countries, in first or seconds tier surrounding Israel wish to extend the arm of peace, Israel should proclaim: Of course we, in our sovereign borders, would like to arrive at peace. NO MORE LAND FOR [NO]PEACE! I am begging of you our Lord; change Israel's leadership to the one that will lead her back on the right path! This was written by Shmuel Katz and it appeared November 22, 2006 in the Jerusalem Post. |
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The peace-at-any-price brigade is back in business. The morning papers report that Amir Peretz is drawing up a peace plan. The other day it was Tzipi Livni. The exposure of the deadly delusion that abandoning Jewish territory and clearing it of Jewish presence would open the way to peace with the Arabs seems to have had little effect. Everything that's happened since disengagement illuminates a great divide within Israel that has existed since the state was established (and even before) between the people who believed the Arabs when they declared that their aim was the destruction of Israel and those who claimed, in spite of three generations of hard evidence to the contrary, that the Arabs only wanted a slice of land in order to make peace -- and that consequently Israel should give it to them. What followed the abandonment of Gaza was of course a new and emphatic vindication of the Right in the genuineness of the Arab threats. As for the Left, its political creed was torn to pieces. The Arabs reacted to the Gaza operation exactly as the Right had said they would. Kadima, the ragtag-and-bobtail party that Ariel Sharon cobbled together after splitting the Likud, was left without its one defining idea (abandoning Gaza as the road to peace), while the one immediate change for Israel's security was the Kassam rockets being able to reach beyond Sderot into Ashkelon. Not without irony was the proud boast by one of the Kadima stalwarts, Meir Sheetrit, soon after his defection from the Likud. With head held high he declared: "We have got rid of the kitbags of [Ze'ev] Jabotinsky and Berel Katznelson!" Had he lowered his head and looked down, he would also have realized how naked they had become. IN THE midst of this confusion, everyone began casting around for some diversion, at least a safety belt. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, conflating his government, added loose-cannon Avigdor Lieberman and his party. Olmert now commands 78 Knesset seats, a motley company unified only by the hope of survival. He also has discovered a cause, to replace our parliamentary democracy by a president independent of parliament. He expects that will enable him to survive. Inevitably this only adds to the general disorientation: We don't know which way we are going. As for the Left (Peace Now and its allies), a savior from nowhere, a deus ex machina (or mashiach?) has revealed himself: Bashar Assad, president of Syria. He has chosen a suitable moment. Viewing the disarray in Israel, he announced that he is prepared to make peace. The peaceniks at once jumped at the chance. They know, as we all know, that Assad wants only one thing, the Golan Heights -- from which Israel, with Damascus in her sights, successfully guards her northern frontier. Peace Now was completely discredited by the aftermath of the Gaza giveaway and now fantasizes the great benefits to Israel from giving him the Golan, including Assad's instant abandonment of his patron and ally, Iran. But the fact that Assad has made this offer in the midst of a national state of confusion and doubt about Israel's future should be taken as an opportunity by Israel -- to demonstrate that it has learned the lesson of the follies of the national policy of her past leaders and intends now to start behaving like a normal people. Instead of laughing at Assad's offer like the joke it is, Israel should proclaim: Of course we, in our sovereign borders, would like to arrive at peace with Syria. Israel does not demand territory from Syria, and it forgoes territory at Kuneitra, which it captured during the Yom Kippur War of October 1973. Contact the poster at 4nuritg@ca.rr.com |