across from Tourmus Aya, where it forks to Ma'aleh Levona, I took a couple of pictures of the Arab houses
including one under construction.
I just wonder... how big it will end up being....
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Just wondering...
Last week when my neighbors and I got off the bus on the main road,
across from Tourmus Aya, where it forks to Ma'aleh Levona, I took a couple of pictures of the Arab houses
including one under construction.
I just wonder... how big it will end up being....
across from Tourmus Aya, where it forks to Ma'aleh Levona, I took a couple of pictures of the Arab houses
including one under construction.
I just wonder... how big it will end up being....
Was there ever a Palestinian 'nation'? and What if Hamas and Fatah are not really enemies?
Read this article on ynet; it explains things very clearly. Here's an excerpt:
And here's another very important question:
Hamas vs. Fatah: A curious ‘fight’
What if Hamas and Fatah are not really enemies?
Historical and Investigative Research - 30 June 2007
by Francisco Gil-White
excerpt:
The borders of British Mandatory Palestine too were set, just like the case with its neighbors, on the basis of colonial interests. In many areas, the border was drawn in a rather random manner. Had it been performed a little differently, would the Arabs of Marjayoun in southern Lebanon become Palestinian? Would the Arabs of Tarshiha in the Galilee be Lebanese? Are residents of Trans-Jordan, which was initially part of Mandatory Palestine and a few years later became the Kingdom of Jordan, Palestinian or Jordanian?
During the less than 30 years of the existence of this Mandate, from which the Palestinians draw their name, no significant indications were to be found of a united national identity of their own. The leader of Mandate Arabs was the Mufti Haj Amin al-Husseini, who viewed himself as a pan-Arabic leader, imposed his rule through the persecution and assassination of his rivals, and headed a loose alliance of clans, tribes, and local interests that were mostly united by hatred towards the Jews, and to a lesser extent towards the British.
And here's another very important question:
Hamas vs. Fatah: A curious ‘fight’
What if Hamas and Fatah are not really enemies?
Historical and Investigative Research - 30 June 2007
by Francisco Gil-White
excerpt:
How to interpret the supposed fight between Hamas and Al Fatah (also known as ‘the PLO’)?Food for thought, for sure.
The media has always represented Hamas and Fatah as great enemies, but this has always flown in the face of the facts (consider the love letter to the PLO contained in the Hamas Charter, at top). In the pages of the New York Times and other such publications Hamas and Fatah would snarl at each other but in the real world there was a dramatic contrast: leaders of Hamas would become leaders of Fatah and vice-versa, and they cooperated closely when it came to repressing the Arab civilian population of the West Bank and Gaza, and when it came to attacking Israel.[2]
Hagee and Haman in Pridelands By Ellen W. Horowitz
Posted with permission from Ellen W. Horowitz
Hagee and Haman in Pridelands
By Ellen W. Horowitz
June 28, 2007
Like King Achashverosh, sleep evaded me last night. So I rose at dawn and wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry as I, once again, perused the above quote by Pastor John Hagee, which appeared in an article written by Marcia Friedman and was published in yesterday's (June 27) online edition of the Jewish Press.
I called my daughter, read her Hagee's quote, and asked her if she heard this before? Without missing a beat, she replied, "That's easy Mom. It's from that chilling scene in the Lion King, where Scar recruits the hyenas."
I knew that. In fact , I had already accessed Google for the source, but I wanted to make sure that I wasn't losing my mind. After Scar's proclamation, things take a real downhill turn in The Pridelands in the form of murder, famine, oppression and a lack of rain. That is until Simba shows up, deposes of the character that made that speech, and returns things to their natural order.
Now I know that plot doesn't quite jibe with John Hagee's end-times scenario, but I didn't write the script. Walt Disney Productions owns the rights. And this cartoonist feels that it's a blessing that Walt left this world before he could see Micky hijacked by Hamas and Hagee partially clone Scar's oration.
Characters will be characters and it seems that the good pastor has a special affinity for the Purim story. I find it queer that the jumbo-sized reverend, with a deep-seated aversion to gays, takes to masquerading (behind his CUFI organization) as Queen Esther:
"We hear the voice of Haman ranting from Iran but the church of Jesus Christ will be silent no more! This time the spirit of Ester will prevail." "CUFI is exactly in the position of Esther...."
Pastor John Hagee and I share some common ground , as I feel he is correct in his labeling of Iran's President as Hamen incarnate -- but it hardly takes a preacher turned Doomsday prophet to have figured that out.
A year ago this former caricaturist told my kids that the Iranian president had the same face as Hamen. The kids looked at me -- as if I were a bit touched - patted me on the head and said, " ahhh ... right, Mom ". A few weeks ago I showed them the latest quote, in which Ahmadinejad speaks of Israel's "imminent disappearance " and says that "the Zionist regime will have to bow down to Palestinians." And they said "Huh. You're right, Mom ".
We Jews must know that even if all of the chariots, horses, and myriads of men from AIPAC, CUFI and an empathetic U.S. Congress were to combine and convince the White House to physically eliminate the Iranian threat, it would be but a temporary reprieve from our enemies -- and there would be a formidable cost involved. It will continue to be that way until we Jews learn to stand on our two feet and fulfill our unique responsibilities as individuals, as a nation , and as a light unto the nations.
I'm wary when Hagee implores us to fantasize that "our potential future together: 50 million evangelicals joining in common cause with 5 million Jewish people in America on behalf of Israel is a match made in heaven."
Once again, this reminds me of something from the not-so-distant past. Only this time it wasn't a cartoon production. I penned an article two years ago in response to Pastor Vineyard's plans to have 50,000 Southern Baptists set up residency in Gush Katif to avert the Disengagement Plan. Well, that didn't pan out. Thousands of Baptists didn't come and thousands of Jews went.
To rely on a spontaneous swelling of our ranks, via an influx of another faith or nation, has never been the preferred strategy for the Jews. Our successful legacy and survival has never been tied to demographic strength and superiority. The faithful few against the many has been a formula we can and must consistently count on.
That I had to pick up the following little gem from the liberal Jews on First website, which keeps tabs on Pastor Hagee and is directed by a Reform rabbi, should put every Torah Observant Jew and Zionist to shame -- especially those who claim to have more in common with Christians than they do with their own people:
"Indeed, Jewish commentators interpret the book of Esther as calling for more responsibility on the part of Jews for their fate. Some commentators suggest that the book may be a sly letter from the Jewish Diaspora claiming that people in the Babylonian Exile (circa 500 B.C.E.) do not need to return to Israel since they were an important "lobby" that saved the Jewish people."
Hagee and Haman in Pridelands
By Ellen W. Horowitz
June 28, 2007
We are here to introduce a new era in America - an era of unity, mutual respect, and lasting peace -- an era when Christian and Jew stand together hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder.... ---Pastor John Hagee from CUFI
We shall rise to meet the dawning of a new era - a new order of peace and prosperity in which lion and hyena come together in a great and glorious future.... ----Scar from the Lion King
Like King Achashverosh, sleep evaded me last night. So I rose at dawn and wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry as I, once again, perused the above quote by Pastor John Hagee, which appeared in an article written by Marcia Friedman and was published in yesterday's (June 27) online edition of the Jewish Press.
I called my daughter, read her Hagee's quote, and asked her if she heard this before? Without missing a beat, she replied, "That's easy Mom. It's from that chilling scene in the Lion King, where Scar recruits the hyenas."
I knew that. In fact , I had already accessed Google for the source, but I wanted to make sure that I wasn't losing my mind. After Scar's proclamation, things take a real downhill turn in The Pridelands in the form of murder, famine, oppression and a lack of rain. That is until Simba shows up, deposes of the character that made that speech, and returns things to their natural order.
Now I know that plot doesn't quite jibe with John Hagee's end-times scenario, but I didn't write the script. Walt Disney Productions owns the rights. And this cartoonist feels that it's a blessing that Walt left this world before he could see Micky hijacked by Hamas and Hagee partially clone Scar's oration.
Characters will be characters and it seems that the good pastor has a special affinity for the Purim story. I find it queer that the jumbo-sized reverend, with a deep-seated aversion to gays, takes to masquerading (behind his CUFI organization) as Queen Esther:
"We hear the voice of Haman ranting from Iran but the church of Jesus Christ will be silent no more! This time the spirit of Ester will prevail." "CUFI is exactly in the position of Esther...."
Pastor John Hagee and I share some common ground , as I feel he is correct in his labeling of Iran's President as Hamen incarnate -- but it hardly takes a preacher turned Doomsday prophet to have figured that out.
A year ago this former caricaturist told my kids that the Iranian president had the same face as Hamen. The kids looked at me -- as if I were a bit touched - patted me on the head and said, " ahhh ... right, Mom ". A few weeks ago I showed them the latest quote, in which Ahmadinejad speaks of Israel's "imminent disappearance " and says that "the Zionist regime will have to bow down to Palestinians." And they said "Huh. You're right, Mom ".
We Jews must know that even if all of the chariots, horses, and myriads of men from AIPAC, CUFI and an empathetic U.S. Congress were to combine and convince the White House to physically eliminate the Iranian threat, it would be but a temporary reprieve from our enemies -- and there would be a formidable cost involved. It will continue to be that way until we Jews learn to stand on our two feet and fulfill our unique responsibilities as individuals, as a nation , and as a light unto the nations.
I'm wary when Hagee implores us to fantasize that "our potential future together: 50 million evangelicals joining in common cause with 5 million Jewish people in America on behalf of Israel is a match made in heaven."
Once again, this reminds me of something from the not-so-distant past. Only this time it wasn't a cartoon production. I penned an article two years ago in response to Pastor Vineyard's plans to have 50,000 Southern Baptists set up residency in Gush Katif to avert the Disengagement Plan. Well, that didn't pan out. Thousands of Baptists didn't come and thousands of Jews went.
To rely on a spontaneous swelling of our ranks, via an influx of another faith or nation, has never been the preferred strategy for the Jews. Our successful legacy and survival has never been tied to demographic strength and superiority. The faithful few against the many has been a formula we can and must consistently count on.
That I had to pick up the following little gem from the liberal Jews on First website, which keeps tabs on Pastor Hagee and is directed by a Reform rabbi, should put every Torah Observant Jew and Zionist to shame -- especially those who claim to have more in common with Christians than they do with their own people:
"Indeed, Jewish commentators interpret the book of Esther as calling for more responsibility on the part of Jews for their fate. Some commentators suggest that the book may be a sly letter from the Jewish Diaspora claiming that people in the Babylonian Exile (circa 500 B.C.E.) do not need to return to Israel since they were an important "lobby" that saved the Jewish people."
Friday, June 29, 2007
WAKING UP!!
Looks like we're finally starting to wake up! Have a look at these op-eds in today's Jerusalem Post:
By LARRY DERFNER
By MICHAEL FREUND
Israel has gone from being a country which frees hostages to one that frees terrorists.
Olmert cannot stay in office "Ad Infinitum"
Being "tired" was bad enough, but now Olmert's gotten even worse.
Have you ever?!?!
That's because you're supposed to stop them, destroy them, not find ways to live with them.
That's enough for now, must get ready for Shabbat. I'm not going to quote Olmert ad nauseum; I don't want to puke.
Shabbat Shalom U'Mevorach!
Have you ever?!?!
That's because you're supposed to stop them, destroy them, not find ways to live with them.
That's enough for now, must get ready for Shabbat. I'm not going to quote Olmert ad nauseum; I don't want to puke.
Shabbat Shalom U'Mevorach!
South of Jerusalem is...
Let's start with a very simple geography lesson. You've heard of Judea and Samaria? I live in Samaria, the Shomron, in Hebrew. It's north of Jerusalem. And Judea, Yehuda, which includes Gush Etzion and Hebron, is south of Jerusalem.
I like to keep things simple.
That means that Ofra and Efrat are not nearby, nor are Shiloh and Hebron.
I don't know that the custom is in other parts of the world, but in Israel, at the end of the school year, the school staff, in ours it includes maintenance as well as teachers and administrators, go on some sort of trip or walking tour and end up with a "dinner."
That's what I was doing yesterday afternoon, evening, actually until pretty late. We, the staff of Yeshiva High School Mateh Binyamin, went south of Jerusalem to Kever Rachel and Gush Etzion.
For me, the most complicated thing was just getting to the bus, since it was leaving from Beit El. I made a whole bunch of useless phone calls to try to arrange a ride. But since I was determined to get there and have a good time, I finally just left my house and hoped for the best.
After waiting a bit for the Egged bus to Jerusalem to show, I caught a ride with a school bus going to Ofra, on the way. I exchanged pleasantries with the driver, an old friend. Suddenly a felt the bus swerve a bit and a little white car bounced in front of us, hitting the heavy bullet-proof bus and flew away, towards the rocks on our right.
Ooop! The driver slowed down carefully and backed up to see what had happened. Other cars had already stopped. The car was on its side in the ditch/shoulder, and it seemed that the passengers had been able to get out. The bus driver told me that he had seen the little car trying to overtake us, though we were in a "no pass" area. Cars were coming in the other direction, and the little white car had no where to go, but fly like it did. We couldn't stop safely without causing cars to crash into our rear.
The cars behind us and going the other way had already stopped and the emergency team from Ofra, arrived within seconds, so I caught a ride to the Beit El T junction. I tried contacting the school to tell them to pick me up there, when another teacher stopped in a car and told me to get in.
So in the end I was about the first to get on the bus in Beit El. We picked up various teachers on the way. The first stop of our tour was Kever Rachel. Many of the teachers hadn't been there for years and were horrified by the wall which surrounds it.
One told me:
From there we went to Gush Etzion, where the guide told us that it's even higher than Beit El. The winds certainly were the worst.
From there we went to the "Alon Haboaded," a large tree which had been visible from Jerusalem during the 19 years between the destruction of Gush Etzion and the rebuilding after the Six Days War. I found the incongruity of the Arab vineyard next to it with the claim of "return" very disturbing.
Next we experienced the well-produced Sound and Light Show in Kfar Etzion.
After that we had dinner at the "foot" of Efrat, in a rustic setting, catered by "Shifon," Neve Daniel. Of course, we're all familiar with the original "Shifon Bakery" in Adam, near us.
Then a neighbor drove me home, straight to the door.
Baruch Hashem and Shabbat Shalom.
I like to keep things simple.
That means that Ofra and Efrat are not nearby, nor are Shiloh and Hebron.
I don't know that the custom is in other parts of the world, but in Israel, at the end of the school year, the school staff, in ours it includes maintenance as well as teachers and administrators, go on some sort of trip or walking tour and end up with a "dinner."
That's what I was doing yesterday afternoon, evening, actually until pretty late. We, the staff of Yeshiva High School Mateh Binyamin, went south of Jerusalem to Kever Rachel and Gush Etzion.
For me, the most complicated thing was just getting to the bus, since it was leaving from Beit El. I made a whole bunch of useless phone calls to try to arrange a ride. But since I was determined to get there and have a good time, I finally just left my house and hoped for the best.
After waiting a bit for the Egged bus to Jerusalem to show, I caught a ride with a school bus going to Ofra, on the way. I exchanged pleasantries with the driver, an old friend. Suddenly a felt the bus swerve a bit and a little white car bounced in front of us, hitting the heavy bullet-proof bus and flew away, towards the rocks on our right.
Ooop! The driver slowed down carefully and backed up to see what had happened. Other cars had already stopped. The car was on its side in the ditch/shoulder, and it seemed that the passengers had been able to get out. The bus driver told me that he had seen the little car trying to overtake us, though we were in a "no pass" area. Cars were coming in the other direction, and the little white car had no where to go, but fly like it did. We couldn't stop safely without causing cars to crash into our rear.
The cars behind us and going the other way had already stopped and the emergency team from Ofra, arrived within seconds, so I caught a ride to the Beit El T junction. I tried contacting the school to tell them to pick me up there, when another teacher stopped in a car and told me to get in.
So in the end I was about the first to get on the bus in Beit El. We picked up various teachers on the way. The first stop of our tour was Kever Rachel. Many of the teachers hadn't been there for years and were horrified by the wall which surrounds it.
One told me:
"It's a good thing I read your blog or I wouldn't have been prepared for the shock."
From there we went to Gush Etzion, where the guide told us that it's even higher than Beit El. The winds certainly were the worst.
From there we went to the "Alon Haboaded," a large tree which had been visible from Jerusalem during the 19 years between the destruction of Gush Etzion and the rebuilding after the Six Days War. I found the incongruity of the Arab vineyard next to it with the claim of "return" very disturbing.
Next we experienced the well-produced Sound and Light Show in Kfar Etzion.
After that we had dinner at the "foot" of Efrat, in a rustic setting, catered by "Shifon," Neve Daniel. Of course, we're all familiar with the original "Shifon Bakery" in Adam, near us.
Then a neighbor drove me home, straight to the door.
Baruch Hashem and Shabbat Shalom.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
YOU CAN ADMIT FAILURE - AND STILL NOT RESIGN!!!
WHY, indeed is this man smiling? I haven't found this in English, but on the Hebrew NFC website the following is being reported:
*
"WE CANNOT PROVIDE SECURITY FOR SDEROT"
The Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, admits that the government of Israel, for the immediate future, cannot provide personal security, for the citizens of Sderot and the areas in close proximity to Gaza.
..."Your life in the State of Israel is subject to a certain degree of risk, and one who wishes to live in the Jewish State takes upon himself this risk. It is still a much smaller risk than those that Jews face all over the world," Olmert said at the Caeserea forum.
*
Read the rest here [Hebrew website - above is my translation].
*
UPDATE, Friday morning: Arutz Sheva [English] covers it lightly, here.
*
UPDATE 2, mid-day Friday: The Jerusalem Post has it, and take a good look at the feedback. Here's one I just couldn't resist:
Olmert Unable to Protect His Country - Time for Him to Exit - J, 06/29/2007 05:34
No confidence vote. Military coup. Civilian unrest and protest. Political coup. Anything to get this man out of office. His goal is to destroy Israel - consciously or subconsciously. He is not fit to be prime minister.
No confidence vote. Military coup. Civilian unrest and protest. Political coup. Anything to get this man out of office. His goal is to destroy Israel - consciously or subconsciously. He is not fit to be prime minister.
***
But a degree of consolation can be found in a brilliant op-ed by Rabbi Emanuel Feldman in The Jerusalem Post. I bring you perhaps the best part, what Ollie, Peres, and Barak SHOULD BE saying:
*
Peres: "I ask forgiveness for the sin of Oslo. I sincerely thought that a new Middle East was upon us, but I was completely in error. Oslo was a disaster for us. The Arabs never wanted peace, they want only to eliminate us by any means - even by declaring peaceful intentions. I was too blinded to see this and I pushed hard for the Oslo agreements. This led to misery and to bloodshed, and I sincerely regret it. I am ashamed of my deeds and will never again repeat them. Nor will I ever again ask for the trust of public office."
*
*
Olmert: "I ask forgiveness for the sins of Gaza and the sin of the Second Lebanon War. I agreed with Sharon that by forcing the Jewish citizens of Gaza out of their homes, Israel would win the sympathy of the world and would convince the Arabs of our peaceful intentions. I was wrong on all counts. We achieved no sympathy, we hurt almost 10,000 of our most idealistic Israelis, and we only convinced the Arabs that we were in retreat. I was too blinded to see all this, and it has led to bloodshed and misery for all of us. The current nightmare situation in Gaza - which has become a Hamas and al-Qaida stronghold that bombs Israel daily - is a direct result of my miscalculation. I am ashamed of what I did, and I will never again ask for the trust of public office.
"The same holds true for my sins in the Second Lebanon war. Winograd was right: I made terrible errors in judgment that cost us dearly. The same holds true for all the ethical questions swirling about my financial dealings. I regret all this and apologize as I return to private life."
"The same holds true for my sins in the Second Lebanon war. Winograd was right: I made terrible errors in judgment that cost us dearly. The same holds true for all the ethical questions swirling about my financial dealings. I regret all this and apologize as I return to private life."
*
Barak: "I ask forgiveness for evacuating our soldiers from Lebanon when I was PM. I thought this would convince the world and the Arabs of our peaceful intentions. I was wrong on all counts. The Arabs want only our destruction, and their several intifadas prove this. I also ask forgiveness for trying to give most of the Old City to Arafat during the Wye talks. All we got in return was more killings and more intifada. I regret all this, and as an act of repentance I pledge never again to ask for the trust of public office."
*
Darfur, again
This may make me persona non grata among some of you.
I've been ranting about the Jewish Darfur fixation for the past two years, ever since I was in New York on the eve of Disengagement and couldn't understand where the hearts and heads of my fellow Jews were. It seemed like all the rabbis could talk about was the "situation" in Darfur and the poor persecuted people there.
Now, at the same time thousands of innocent, law abiding Jews were about to be thrown out of their homes. Their homes, schools, businesses, communities etc were going to be destroyed in a unilaterally, that means one-sided, in exchange for nothing, gesture to Arab terrorists who were cheering the Israeli government on. So were international "diplomats," media etc. Look at the Jews, doing Hitler's work, what a pleasure.
Gevalt! Did anyone care? I heard nothing from the pulpits of those synagogues except: "Darfur" "Save the innocents of Darfur"
Of course, afterwards, that's after Disengagement, some of the same Jews started "campaigns" to help the unfortunate Disengagement "evacuees." Blahh! As if getting a ping pong table in some teen activity room will help. A fun day at the Dead Sea won't rebuild their lives.
To put things in a more accurate perspective, read this:
Shabbat Shalom
I've been ranting about the Jewish Darfur fixation for the past two years, ever since I was in New York on the eve of Disengagement and couldn't understand where the hearts and heads of my fellow Jews were. It seemed like all the rabbis could talk about was the "situation" in Darfur and the poor persecuted people there.
Now, at the same time thousands of innocent, law abiding Jews were about to be thrown out of their homes. Their homes, schools, businesses, communities etc were going to be destroyed in a unilaterally, that means one-sided, in exchange for nothing, gesture to Arab terrorists who were cheering the Israeli government on. So were international "diplomats," media etc. Look at the Jews, doing Hitler's work, what a pleasure.
Gevalt! Did anyone care? I heard nothing from the pulpits of those synagogues except: "Darfur" "Save the innocents of Darfur"
Of course, afterwards, that's after Disengagement, some of the same Jews started "campaigns" to help the unfortunate Disengagement "evacuees." Blahh! As if getting a ping pong table in some teen activity room will help. A fun day at the Dead Sea won't rebuild their lives.
To put things in a more accurate perspective, read this:
Shabbat Shalom
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The Brits had the right idea!
Fire Tony Blair!
Tony Blair left his esteemed position as British Prime Minister under a cloud of serious unpopularity.
Now the Peter's Principle is promoting him to an international position. The so-called Quartet of international mediators, the United Nations, United States, European Union and Russia, have declared him special envoy to make peace in the Middle East.
Tony Blair left his esteemed position as British Prime Minister under a cloud of serious unpopularity.
Now the Peter's Principle is promoting him to an international position. The so-called Quartet of international mediators, the United Nations, United States, European Union and Russia, have declared him special envoy to make peace in the Middle East.
He's going as a policeman to enforce his agenda. Blair and his buddies want a "Palestinian" state, through hell or high water, no matter how it affects Israel.
Blair's not coming to mediate. He had no interest in Israel's security or survival. He wants to give the Arab terrorists a state.
And even worse, the Israeli Government doesn't care.
About: Nations United, by Alex Grobman
Alex Grobman sent me his latest book, Nations United. I ended up reading it Shabbat afternoon, which surprised me.
Why did it surprise me? I've read light novels and gripping memoirs, like Tuesdays with Morrie, on long summer Shabbat afternoons, but usually anything serious just puts me to sleep. There was nothing else, and it had just arrived before Shabbat, and it's not a long book, so I opened "Nations United."
I was very pleasantly surprised. There is so much very important information and history in the book. It's a must have for anybody who wants to know the truth about Israel and the Middle East.
That's not to say that I agree with everything in the book. I'm neither an academic nor a historian. I have my opinions, and at my age, I've lived through what others call history. Since I'm not about to try to write a book to compete with Grobman's I value his.
Grobman concentrates on the infamous "Zionism is Racism" UN Resolution. He sees it as a cause of anti-Semitism/Zionism, and I see it as a result. It's the chicken-egg dilemma. Which came first?
I am convinced that if there hadn't been underlying anti-Semitism/Zionism, there never would have been such a UN Resolution, and they UN wouldn't be passing all those anti-Israel resolutions. The later repeal of the resolution was just a sign of the western world's embarrassment, like after the Holocaust.
It's the latent and active anti-Semitism in Christianity and western culture which facilitates and supports the United Nations and Arab anti-Israel policies.
But, as I said before, the book is required reading for anyone who really cares about the true history of the Modern Middle East.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
We were in the cemetery because of Ehud Barak!
Ehud Barak was Israel's Prime Minister during the highest rate of terror attacks.
During Barak's reign, graves in Shiloh and in Eli were filled with the results of his rule, murdered children.
The entire country was quaking with fear, afraid to leave their homes, let their kids go out. Nobody knew where it would hit next, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or a school yard.
My sons were in the army here, and I was more nervous when they told me that they'd be in Jerusalem than when they were "doing their army jobs" which were front line.
There was shooting on the road between Shiloh and Jerusalem and other places in YESHA. People spent money to buy bullet proof vests and those with more money got bullet proof cars and trucks.
I find it incomprehensible that Israel's Labor Party is so morally and politically bankrupt that they have welcomed back Barak as their party leader.
You don't have to be a great political, defense, intelligence pundit to see that Israel would be committing suicide by giving our Land to the Arabs.
Know your enemy
The Arabs are not afraid of death. They don't care who gets killed.
Read the latest on Palestine Media Watch!
Read the latest on Palestine Media Watch!
Not to toot my own horn
One of my latest posts is up on Arutz 7, but they changed the title this time. I can understand that, especially since when I give people advice about how to speak to journalists I always say to hold the sarcasm, and "If only they made bomb shelters this thick!" is as sarcastic as they come.
The reason I'd like you to go to A7 is not to see my article, unless you didn't read it here--which you still can. It's to read the comments there. I'm impressed by what the readers wrote. And, yes, you can certainly add your comments to the A7 version and to my blog version.
There's a great comment tradition on A7, though I'm not one of the bigger magnets.
And on the political front, according to the Jerusalem Post, Bibi's Jordanian Army "brainstorm" isn't the only reason not to vote Likud. He and Olmert are having secret meetings.
The reason I'd like you to go to A7 is not to see my article, unless you didn't read it here--which you still can. It's to read the comments there. I'm impressed by what the readers wrote. And, yes, you can certainly add your comments to the A7 version and to my blog version.
There's a great comment tradition on A7, though I'm not one of the bigger magnets.
And on the political front, according to the Jerusalem Post, Bibi's Jordanian Army "brainstorm" isn't the only reason not to vote Likud. He and Olmert are having secret meetings.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Give them another chance, nu?
I've never quite understood the distinction between terrorists with blood on their hands or those without blood on their hands.
Olmert has announced that Israel (he, Olmert=Israel) will release, in his humanitarian program known as "Give them Another Chance," 250 terrorists who are having trouble getting into the Arab Terror Honor Society, because their hands aren't bloody enough.
It's sort of like in Baseball allowing the players at bat long enough until they succeed in hitting the ball. This line is in honor of the opening of Israel's professional baseball league.
Olmert has no problems releasing Arab terrorists, but his government is prosecuting 146 young, idealistic Zionists whose crime is loving Eretz Yisrael and not being afraid to say so.
I guess he considers himself immune from terrorism, but he knows that these kids won't be swayed by his well-practiced smile and his well-trained security forces. These wonderful kids frighten him, so he wants them locked up.
Olmert has announced that Israel (he, Olmert=Israel) will release, in his humanitarian program known as "Give them Another Chance," 250 terrorists who are having trouble getting into the Arab Terror Honor Society, because their hands aren't bloody enough.
It's sort of like in Baseball allowing the players at bat long enough until they succeed in hitting the ball. This line is in honor of the opening of Israel's professional baseball league.
Olmert has no problems releasing Arab terrorists, but his government is prosecuting 146 young, idealistic Zionists whose crime is loving Eretz Yisrael and not being afraid to say so.
I guess he considers himself immune from terrorism, but he knows that these kids won't be swayed by his well-practiced smile and his well-trained security forces. These wonderful kids frighten him, so he wants them locked up.
There's a brutal truth in the Arab Press
The media and international diplomats, politicians, charlatans etc keep brainwashing the world to believe in the ultimately peaceful intentions of the Arabs.
They keep coming up with "solutions" and brainstorms on how to "solve" the "conflict."
It's all a "con," a trick.
They don't read or listen to what the Arabs are actually saying. There a couple of excellent organizations which try to publicize the truth, straight from the "horse's" (no offense to horses) mouth.
The Arab Internet media has become very professional and slick. I suggest reading Ma'an News Agency to find out what they really think and want.
Thanks to IMRA and PMW for all of their excellent work!
They keep coming up with "solutions" and brainstorms on how to "solve" the "conflict."
It's all a "con," a trick.
They don't read or listen to what the Arabs are actually saying. There a couple of excellent organizations which try to publicize the truth, straight from the "horse's" (no offense to horses) mouth.
The Arab Internet media has become very professional and slick. I suggest reading Ma'an News Agency to find out what they really think and want.
Thanks to IMRA and PMW for all of their excellent work!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
THE TOWN WITH ORANGE STREETS!
Rechov Neve Dekalim! Sderot Gush Katif! Rechov Kfar Darom! Simtat Shirat HaYam! Soon these may be the new names of streets in the Southern Israel town of Kiryat Gat.
Kol HaKavod, kudos, to Chaim Shalom of Kiryat Gat [pictured above, if anyone has a better pic, please let us know], for naming the streets of an entire neighborhood for the destroyed Gush Katif communities. This news is actually a few days old, but worth posting since, besides the original Arutz Sheva posting, I have not seen it anywhere on the JBlogosphere, or on the Net for that matter. Because of its importance, I bring it here in its entirety.
[Note: the original Arutz Sheva article in English referred to him (except once) as “Cohen.” However, a check of the Hebrew article, as well as the Kiryat Gat city council website, indeed refers to him as Chaim Shalom. Therefore, I have corrected it below, with everything else intact.]
Southern City to Name New Streets for Katif Towns
by Hillel Fendel (IsraelNN.com)
For the first time in Israel, a city council - Kiryat Gat - has decided to name the streets of an entire neighborhood for the destroyed Gush Katif communities. Kiryat Gat is located 16 kilometers (ten miles) northeast of Kassam-beleaguered Sderot.
The city council unanimously approved the proposal to name the new streets for the towns destroyed in the Disengagement of 2005. Under the Disengagement Plan, then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz expressed the hope that destroying the Jewish towns in Gush Katif and handing over the area to the Arabs of Gaza would improve security for Israel, and promised that terrorist rockets and shells into Israel would be dealt with harshly.
The main streets in the new Kiryat Gat neighborhood will be named after the larger communities, such as N'vei Dekalim, Katif, and Netzer Hazani, while the lanes and smaller roads will be named after small towns such as Shirat HaYam, Morag, and others.
"Already during the sad days of the expulsion," said councilman Chaim Shalom, who proposed the idea, "I felt that, in addition to our hosting of the expellees and the other help we gave them, we had to do something that would really engrave in our consciousness what happened there."
Shalom is remembered favorably by Gush Katif supporters as the one who was locked into his office by the Shabak when then-Defense Minister Mofaz arrived in the city - because Shalom had said he would protest strongly against Mofaz.
Why the Labor Member Changed His Mind
Shalom had tried to pass the street-naming resolution several times in the past two years, but was not able to muster the necessary majority. However, yesterday the resolution passed unanimously. What changed? "The Labor Party member told me that he had always objected to what I had written in the local papers against the Disengagement," Shalom said, "but he changed his mind in light of the results of the expulsion we are all seeing now - and now he says he agrees with every word I wrote."
"When I wrote articles warning that Kiryat Gat would soon be threatened by Kassams," Shalom said, "people attacked me and said I was a prophet of doom. But today they all agree I was right." Kassams have not yet hit Kiryat Gat, but the city is within range of the more powerful missiles.
Shalom hopes to hold the naming ceremony on the second anniversary of the Disengagement, in the presence of the former residents of the areas and prominent public figures.
4U-- Havel Havelim #122
I don't want to rub it in, but being a high school English teacher in Israel has its perks, and it also has its miseries. But what better way to celebrate the end of the school year than by hosting Havel Havelim?
Havel Havelim, the international jblog carnival, was established by Soccer Dad, whom I finally f2f-ed. For proof of that, read this entire Havel Havelim to the very, very end. It's now probably the longest-running blog carnival under original management.
The term “Havel Havelim” is from Kohelet, Ecclesiastes, which was written by King Solomon, who built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and later on got all bogged down in materialism and other “excesses” and finally realized that it was nothing but norishkeit, “havel” or in English “vanities.” I think that King Solomon and his father King David were the original "bloggers." The books they wrote, when you take them chapter by chapter, can easily be described as blog posts. The stones they used to write on made them last, so that we can read them now. I doubt if today's technology will give our words any lasting effect.
I don't want to give this edition an "eyin haraa" as I put this together, but I must say that the quantity and quality of posts jbloggers have been mailing me is very impressive. #122 won't be organized in any way, just haphazard, since many posts came in emails, not the form with the topics. It's ok.
Now for the show:
Can you identify the blessing that inspired this?
The term “Havel Havelim” is from Kohelet, Ecclesiastes, which was written by King Solomon, who built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and later on got all bogged down in materialism and other “excesses” and finally realized that it was nothing but norishkeit, “havel” or in English “vanities.” I think that King Solomon and his father King David were the original "bloggers." The books they wrote, when you take them chapter by chapter, can easily be described as blog posts. The stones they used to write on made them last, so that we can read them now. I doubt if today's technology will give our words any lasting effect.
I don't want to give this edition an "eyin haraa" as I put this together, but I must say that the quantity and quality of posts jbloggers have been mailing me is very impressive. #122 won't be organized in any way, just haphazard, since many posts came in emails, not the form with the topics. It's ok.
Now for the show:
Can you identify the blessing that inspired this?
Light, darkness, and peace
These, and everything, you made
G-d, King of the world
That's from NY's Funniest Rabbi, and there are more haikus to enjoy. And posts about losses and links.
Barry, the irrepressible English teacher from northern Israel sent three, which he posts on ETNI. One, two, three!
Here are tales of the Trisker Maggid from yitz.
And nuch epes ah chosid wrote Grace is deceitful - שקר החן and about Writers Block. What do they have in common?
There's always something to photograph in Jerusalem.
Not quite perfect posted a perfectly good Torah Numbers Chart.
It's nice when the neighbors work together, even though it would be even nicer if it didn't have to be because of a fire.
This is very interesting from Yid with a Lid about Britain and Concentration Camps. And another about how badly Arabs treat their "brothers."
Dixie Yid mulls over why we sleep.
The Lakewood Venter gives us ...Crazy Colored Child Caption Contest for Charity Post.
Here's Parsha Chukas 5767: Tefillot for Tikkun of Chait, Unity and Rachel Imeinu - Revisited from Moshe Burt.
My husband mocks Ma'ariv newspaper for their incorrect prediction.
And here's Question & Answer With Chabakuk Elisha - The Kherson Geniza: Chassidus & Historical Accuracy from A Simple Jew.
Solomonia has some surprising news about the Hamas Prime Minister.
Barbara wonders about G-d.
I agree with Shmuel, Inspirations from the Golan. Just lovely.
Shvach Yid writes about the Rebbe. And so does Life of Rubin.
Cross-currents is pleasantly surprised by an article in the media.
Last year, Israel went to war for Gilad Shalit, but he's still in enemy hands. Here's some news.
Here's some impressive news about Israel on Planck's Constant.
Lemon Lime Moon writes about real action heroes.
Treppenwitz follows up a possible family link.
The Chainik Hocker writes of jigsaw men.
Slightly Mad is coming together for laughs.
This was very, very, very off, off, off Broadway, not even the same continent!
Read The Best Father’s Day Gift Ever on Temunot.
For a little Parshat Shavua, Kadima is a Korach kind of party.
Here's something special from Fred.
Not quite a Trojan Horse, but Marallyn's UPS story makes a good reason to boycott them.
One, two, three strikes you're out at the first ballgame!
If you need a laugh, read Judy Gruen's latest.
I'm (a) biologist writes an excellent post about being a working mother in Israel.
Cosmic X protests the "gay parade."
Barry, the irrepressible English teacher from northern Israel sent three, which he posts on ETNI. One, two, three!
Here are tales of the Trisker Maggid from yitz.
And nuch epes ah chosid wrote Grace is deceitful - שקר החן and about Writers Block. What do they have in common?
There's always something to photograph in Jerusalem.
Not quite perfect posted a perfectly good Torah Numbers Chart.
It's nice when the neighbors work together, even though it would be even nicer if it didn't have to be because of a fire.
This is very interesting from Yid with a Lid about Britain and Concentration Camps. And another about how badly Arabs treat their "brothers."
Dixie Yid mulls over why we sleep.
The Lakewood Venter gives us ...Crazy Colored Child Caption Contest for Charity Post.
Here's Parsha Chukas 5767: Tefillot for Tikkun of Chait, Unity and Rachel Imeinu - Revisited from Moshe Burt.
My husband mocks Ma'ariv newspaper for their incorrect prediction.
And here's Question & Answer With Chabakuk Elisha - The Kherson Geniza: Chassidus & Historical Accuracy from A Simple Jew.
Solomonia has some surprising news about the Hamas Prime Minister.
Barbara wonders about G-d.
I agree with Shmuel, Inspirations from the Golan. Just lovely.
Shvach Yid writes about the Rebbe. And so does Life of Rubin.
Cross-currents is pleasantly surprised by an article in the media.
Last year, Israel went to war for Gilad Shalit, but he's still in enemy hands. Here's some news.
Here's some impressive news about Israel on Planck's Constant.
Lemon Lime Moon writes about real action heroes.
Treppenwitz follows up a possible family link.
The Chainik Hocker writes of jigsaw men.
Slightly Mad is coming together for laughs.
This was very, very, very off, off, off Broadway, not even the same continent!
Read The Best Father’s Day Gift Ever on Temunot.
For a little Parshat Shavua, Kadima is a Korach kind of party.
Here's something special from Fred.
Not quite a Trojan Horse, but Marallyn's UPS story makes a good reason to boycott them.
One, two, three strikes you're out at the first ballgame!
If you need a laugh, read Judy Gruen's latest.
I'm (a) biologist writes an excellent post about being a working mother in Israel.
Cosmic X protests the "gay parade."
Here are two posts from Circus Tent. Both concern the fact that "Gimmel Tamuz is the 25th Yohrtzeit of HaRav Reb Shneur Kotler, z"l, Rosh Yeshivah of BMG in Lakewood, and father/father-in-law of the four current Roshei Yeshivah." Money talks at BMG (the other gimmel tamuz) and 3 Tammuz was the end of the line ------
The 19th Kosher Cooking Carnival is at Baleboosteh. It's a great one, and if you're interested in hosting an edition, especially this coming July's, please let me know. Thanks!
Irina writes about her experience attending the farewell event of AJC for the departing German Political Consul. As usual, her observations are fascinating.
Travel to Israel offers ways to commemorate the Lebovitcher Rebbe.
And Yitz has a very full post of stories about the Rebbe, including one about Rav Shlomo Carlebach.
Read the J Blogger Interview Featuring Dafnotes! on Jewish Blogmeister. And for more on ~Daf Notes~ check out: Coffee Heated by a Gentile - Yevamos 46 - Daf Yomi, Computers Searches Cannot Fool Reb Chaim and NOT KOSHER ENOUGH - Yevamos 45 - Daf Yomi.
And there's The Bostoner on Fish & Ba'al Teshuva by Tal Moshe Zwecker.
Ari tells about Poetry With Trop In Early Baltimore: Part I.
The 19th Kosher Cooking Carnival is at Baleboosteh. It's a great one, and if you're interested in hosting an edition, especially this coming July's, please let me know. Thanks!
Irina writes about her experience attending the farewell event of AJC for the departing German Political Consul. As usual, her observations are fascinating.
Travel to Israel offers ways to commemorate the Lebovitcher Rebbe.
And Yitz has a very full post of stories about the Rebbe, including one about Rav Shlomo Carlebach.
Read the J Blogger Interview Featuring Dafnotes! on Jewish Blogmeister. And for more on ~Daf Notes~ check out: Coffee Heated by a Gentile - Yevamos 46 - Daf Yomi, Computers Searches Cannot Fool Reb Chaim and NOT KOSHER ENOUGH - Yevamos 45 - Daf Yomi.
And there's The Bostoner on Fish & Ba'al Teshuva by Tal Moshe Zwecker.
Ari tells about Poetry With Trop In Early Baltimore: Part I.
From Life in Israel, Israeli man marries donkey (video)—don't worry. It's a joke.
For the greatest jpix from the past two weeks, the Bagel Blogger brings you the 10th JPIX Carnival! Submit a post to the Next JPix Carnival The 11th will be at the Baleboosteh, and if you're interested in hosting contact Mr. Bagel.
Read about the young Jewish Israel author, Shifra Shomron.
NY's funniest rabbi is getting serious.
Here are some Torah Thoughts on Parshat Chukas.
Rafi G. tells a Halitza story.
The Zionist Youngster writes about Dr. Reality-Based and Mr. Fiery Ideologue.
For the greatest jpix from the past two weeks, the Bagel Blogger brings you the 10th JPIX Carnival! Submit a post to the Next JPix Carnival The 11th will be at the Baleboosteh, and if you're interested in hosting contact Mr. Bagel.
Read about the young Jewish Israel author, Shifra Shomron.
NY's funniest rabbi is getting serious.
Here are some Torah Thoughts on Parshat Chukas.
Rafi G. tells a Halitza story.
The Zionist Youngster writes about Dr. Reality-Based and Mr. Fiery Ideologue.
According to Sin of Expulsion: Gay Bash a Bust, But Watch for Precedent.
From the Elder of Ziyon: A Psychological History of Palestinian Arabs, part 6
Yid with a Lid writes some strong things against the Chabadniks who call the Rebbe the Moshiach.
Oh, wow, the Seraphic Secret also f2f-ed with Kesher!
Frumhouse writes of "joobs;" the male jbloggers will be disappointed, but the females will relate!
From Little Green Footballs we have A Visit to Fatah's Torture Chamber.
According to Beyond Tshuva, You Don’t have to be in the Middle to be in the Middle. He also writes about what he considers the biggest sacrifice he made when becoming frum.
Joshua Pundit shows how unsuitable Blair is to be envoy. And more on the same, from the Spine.
Chana gives us a guide to Jewish Chicago. So, if I ever visit my cousin near there, I'll know what to do.
Mottel has Smicha! Look at all the pictures his proud mother took!
From the Israeli Satire Laboratory, we have: Olmert: Hamas Takeover – Opportunity For Peace With Settlers!
Life in Israel posts a very Israeli story about a hitchhiker.
There's a well-known Passover song that teaches the significance of numbers in Judaism. So, yes, we, or most of us, have no problems with numbers up to 13. Soccer Dad posted a number quiz from his nephew's Bar Mitzvah, with many, many more. Try it!
Scottage asks US Kills Children In Afghanistan ג€“ Will This Light The Fuse? And on the "lighter" side he writes about the sexy Israeli women in the Maxim spread to attract horny male tourists to Israel.
Will more "gestures" bring Israel peace?
My husband sort of won against the NY Times.
Reb Chaim HaQoton has updated his classic Ruste Taurus essay.
DAG has opened a T Shirt Store; take a look. And DAG also posts about the new strawberry halachot. Will we ever get to eat strawberry jam again?
Tamar Yona was at the parade.
Akiva asks if we want the Moshiach now.
tnspr569 has landed back in chutz l'Aretz. Good luck! Hope to see you back home real soon.
Toronto Pearl and her husband heard some great Jewish music, From Kol Nidre to George Gershwin.
What should we eat on those late Friday night Shabbat meals?
Carl's Corner
Unlike many bloggers who may have sent me as many, links if not more, as Carl did, Carl sends the week's supply in one large package, and I can't spread them around. So I just find it easier to give him a special corner. They are always interesting, so dig in and enjoy.
Israel Matzav: Thinking outside the box
What Hamas really wants
How much for a Nobel Peace Prize medal on E-Bay?
Israel Matzav: Israel to attack Hamas in Gaza?
Israel Matzav: Olmert goes to the US to schnorr for Fatah
Israel Matzav: Hamas bans Gaza terrorists from wearing masks
Israel Matzav: Who's to blame?
Israel Matzav: US and EU taxpayers paying Hamas
So much for the 'Hamas-free' 'Palestinian government'
When Congress says "jump," Egypt asks "how high"
Alan Johnston is caught in a clan war
Fatah's torture chambers - do they matter?
A definition of terrorism
*Very few people trust the media, so if you want the truth, read blogs!*
Sultan Knish writes the truth of today's Goliath.
For the truth about Rashid Khalidi, read Sandbox!
And for the truth about Hamas, read Secular Blasphemy.
And for the truth about Abbas, read The Colossus of Rhodey.
And for the truth about what ordinary "Palestinians" think read History News Network.
On In Context, you'll read the truth about what Israel does for the Arab fighters.
Meryl Yourish writes the truth about how Italy punishes war criminals.
The Gates of Vienna tells the truth about Europe.
Schvach tell the truth about Britain's latest boycott of Israel.
Danny Bermant tells the truth about who's to blame for Hamastan.
What's the truth about the Evangelical Christians? Read Schvach Yid.
Read about the true crisis on Israel and the Sin of Expulsion.
Neil G. tells the truth about Zionism.
Mark tells the true story about Holy Land Baseball.
Read the truth about American support of Arab terrorists.
Sultan Knish writes the truth of today's Goliath.
For the truth about Rashid Khalidi, read Sandbox!
And for the truth about Hamas, read Secular Blasphemy.
And for the truth about Abbas, read The Colossus of Rhodey.
And for the truth about what ordinary "Palestinians" think read History News Network.
On In Context, you'll read the truth about what Israel does for the Arab fighters.
Meryl Yourish writes the truth about how Italy punishes war criminals.
The Gates of Vienna tells the truth about Europe.
Schvach tell the truth about Britain's latest boycott of Israel.
Danny Bermant tells the truth about who's to blame for Hamastan.
What's the truth about the Evangelical Christians? Read Schvach Yid.
Read about the true crisis on Israel and the Sin of Expulsion.
Neil G. tells the truth about Zionism.
Mark tells the true story about Holy Land Baseball.
Read the truth about American support of Arab terrorists.
Law hawk tells the truth about what's going on between the Arabs and Israel.
Sultan Knish tells us the truth--Reductio Ad Occupationum - Blame Israel for Everything .
Rafi G. tells us the true story behind the scenes of the OSIRAK bombing!
Ezzie give us a true lesson in micro-terrorism.
Yid with a Lid tells the truth about Jimmy Carter's Legacy.
On Seraphic Secret, we learn the truth about the Arabs.
Send your links for the next edition of Havel Havelim via blog carnival, and at the same time you may discover other “carnivals” to visit and enter. You can also use those forms to send kosher recipes and other kosher food posts to the Kosher Cooking Carnival. Blog carnival also has a great listing of recent carnivals for your sidebar. You can either get one for a specific carnival, like HH or KCC, or a general one.
Just a note:
I've been taking my turn at hosting Havel Havelim for quite a while, (maybe Soccer Dad will tell us when my first was,) and I'm awed by the growth and changes in the jblogging world. There are such richness, depth, intelligence and perception in the posts I've read. Also, now jbloggers know to send their posts. I'm pretty sure that this is the largest Havel Havelim I've ever hosted, and almost all of the posts came either from the blogger or from other bloggers who felt that they should be included. It's definitely a privilege to be of this period of time and part of the international jblogger community.
Thanks to Soccer Dad for his hard work keeping this going, and if you want to host, please let him know at dhgerstman at hotmail dot com.
This appears in the UberCarnival.
I've been taking my turn at hosting Havel Havelim for quite a while, (maybe Soccer Dad will tell us when my first was,) and I'm awed by the growth and changes in the jblogging world. There are such richness, depth, intelligence and perception in the posts I've read. Also, now jbloggers know to send their posts. I'm pretty sure that this is the largest Havel Havelim I've ever hosted, and almost all of the posts came either from the blogger or from other bloggers who felt that they should be included. It's definitely a privilege to be of this period of time and part of the international jblogger community.
Thanks to Soccer Dad for his hard work keeping this going, and if you want to host, please let him know at dhgerstman at hotmail dot com.
This appears in the UberCarnival.
Please put up a blurb on your blog alerting readers to Havel Havelim and the fun they'll have reading the various posts. Thank you!
Yes, that's Soccer Dad on King George Street, Jerusalem! I just wonder what happened to the picture he took of me.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Let's put things in proportion
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