Hamas War

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Will These Poles Really Protect Us?

Yes, it's deja vu time yet again. 

The two most popular, rather low tech, methods the Arab terrorists have been using to try to murder us of late are pretty old. 

#1- Stabbing, of course is the simplest, because every home kitchen has knives that can murder, and they're pretty easy to hide. One of the very first Arab terror murder by stabbing that made a strong impression on me was when Arab terrorists knifed/stabbed Aharon Gross, HaYa"D, in Hebron over thirty-two years ago. That's because I know the family very well. And there is nothing one can actually do, besides trying to be hyper-alert, against a stabbing attack.

#2- Ramming a Vehicle into Innocent Bystanders, for this one needs vehicle, a car or as some terrorists have used, a tractor or any other mobile weapon. It's close to twenty years since I was run over by what may have been the first terrorist to try that method. It's amazing how unprepared ordinary people waiting for a bus may be and how quickly and easily a vehicle can veer onto the sidewalk to kill and maim. There have even been unintended accidents with the same deadly results.

I remember how twenty years ago after I had been injured how quickly the government put poles up by that bus stop, and now they're at it again.



Cement barricades are used, too, on main roads.


They are all only effective if people make a point of standing behind them, but none of these methods will make any difference when it comes to knife attacks, unfortunately.

All I can say on an optimistic note is that the attacks are less common than the headlines would make you believe, and more and more times armed and trained civilians, along with official security, have managed to quickly and promptly execute the terrorist, thank Gd. That is what also happened to the terrorist who attacked me, seriously injured a couple a dozen and murdered a woman.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Has Labor's Herzog Suddenly Gotten Smart?

If you haven't yet heard...
Herzog: In current reality, two-state solution is not realistic
MK Herzog. (photo credit:MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/
THE JERUSALEM POST)
The opposition leader said that absent the ability to reach an agreement with the Palestinians at this time, “there is a need to form security policy in the mold of this reality, and this reality necessitates a separation from the Palestinians.”
Herzog said he does not support a unilateral withdrawal, as he had “learned the lessons” of past unilateral withdrawals from Lebanon and Gaza.
“I say first of all to complete the security fence around all of the settlement blocs. We are here and they are there,” he said, reiterating an idea he discussed in his speech to the conference of the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. Jerusalem Post
I'd say this is as earth-shattering as when Bibi Netanyahu suddenly said he supports the Two State Solution sic. And if you've been listening carefully to what Bibi has been saying, they are actually saying the same thing, both Likud and Labor.

What Prime Minister Netanyahu always says about a "Palestinian State" is that he has demanded conditions. And he won't agree to a state for them until those conditions are met. And my gut feeling is that Herzog also envisions certain conditions that the Arabs must meet before they could have a state. It could be that they both want the same conditions.

Did you notice that Herzog also said that unilateral withdrawals are dangerous!! I'd say that is extremely important!!

But to be honest, I don't care what the conditions are. I don't think they will change anything. The State of Israel and World Jewry will be in mortal danger if Gd forbid there ever is a State of Palestine. There is absolutely no way that there will be any security for the State of Israel if another Arab state is established here.

The only way to stop the Arab terror is to stop all talk of a "two state solution." We also must strictly punish all Arab terrorists. Do not give them legal rights as ordinary criminals. All who attempt to murder Jews must be executed, even if they had failed. Send the PLO, Hamas and Fatah off to Sweden or wherever. Close down their corrupt offices and P.A.

Make sure the Arabs pay all their bills for water, electricity, telephones etc. Whoever doesn't should be deported. Make them submit building plans to Israeli authorities just like we Jews have to. If anyone wants to leave, they can. And of course Jews should be allowed to live all over, even in Arab neighborhoods.

Yes, I can dream and demand. That is how we got the State of Israel. We dreamt and we built. And we must continue!!

Friday, January 29, 2016

More American Anti-Israel Policies

Between American spying on Israeli leaders and government and its interfering in Israeli Elections by funding the "anyone but Bibi" NPOs and now threatening action against any business/product produced in Judea/Samaria with sanctions if not properly labeled, you really must wonder about their moral compass and definition of "evenhandedness."


And don't forget that Jay Pollard is still under "house arrest." He is not a free man at all.

I'm sorry to leave you with all this before Shabbat, but we must remember.

This Shabbat is the Torah Portion Yitro with the "Ten Commandments." The first one says it all:


Exodus 20:2
ב  אָנֹכִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים:  לֹא-יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים, עַל-פָּנָי.2 I am the LORD thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.


That must be our reminder not to care what any other country says. We only must obey Gd Almighty!

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach!

I Must Be Hitting a Nerve...


For the second time in less than a week, on the Arutz 7 blog page, three out of the "Popular Posts" are mine.

Popular Posts















Now, if only I could find a way to earn a living by my writing...

Serious offers are welcome and invited, thanks.

PS I also blog on the Jewish Press and the Jerusalem Post.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Bernie Sanders: Good for Israel or Jews?

For someone of my age who grew up in the United States, the idea that a Jew is now considered a "frontrunner" of sorts to be President of the United States is rather amazing. But as an Israeli for almost half a century, I look at it with different eyes.

Friends and family of mine in the states who feel about the issues, the "situation," in Israel as I do, don't vote Democrat. And I strongly doubt that they'd change their minds to try to put a Jew in the White House. Intelligent and idealistic people vote policy not "color," religion or "pride." The novelty of having a Jew as President of the United States is not enough of a reason to have an extreme Leftist who repeats the same anti-Israel mantras as Obama and the United Nations.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speaking at a campaign fundraising reception at the Avalon Hollywood nightclub in Los Angeles, October 14, 2015. (David McNew/Getty Images/via JTA)

In all honesty, even though your typical assimilated America-first Jew will finally feel fully accepted and relieved to finally have a Jew holding top office, my priority is how he relates to the State of Israel and its very complicated simple* security issues.

Sanders own campaign site makes it clear that "evenhandedness" is a good way to describe his policies vis a vis Israel and the so-called Palestinians, sic.
Jewish Heritage: Bernie is Jewish, but he does not favor Israel over the Palestinians, nor does he otherwise let his religion influence his positions regarding the conflict.
Two-State Solution: Bernie believes that Israel and the Palestinians can, and should, peacefully co-exist, and that Palestinians should have a country of their own.
On Netanyahu & Iran: Bernie is not a big supporter of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and believes that diplomacy, not military action or economic sanctions, can keep Israel safe from Iran.
Many presidential wannabes convincingly mouth pro-Israel platitudes while running for office, but we haven't yet seen anyone change the traditional pro-Arab and anti-Israel policies emanating from the State Department.

And we must not forget that although Sanders doesn't deny being a Jew, his wife isn't and neither are their children. It's davka Donald Trump who has Jewish grandchildren...

*I changed the adjective to simple, because in all honesty, anyone who listens with even half an ear to what our Arab enemies unabashedly say know perfectly well that they are out to destroy us, and they have the support, financial and diplomatic of most of the world, especially the United Nations and the European Union.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Arab Terrorists aren't Convinced by Kindness

I wish people would get real and stop fantasizing and projecting their own innate goodness. Even the reactions from the Jewish communities that have recently been the scenes of cruel Arab terror attacks have included some surprisingly naive statements. The spokespeople, official or not, have told the media of what good relations they try to have with the neighboring Arabs.

Knock! Knock! Get real! We're not dealing with an enemy that wants peace!


Think about it, please. Terrorism isn't caused by socio-economic problems or lack of educational and career opportunities. The problems, violence and terrorism in Arab society can't be repaired with money and classic rehab. Even amongst themselves there is a level of violence your typical Israeli, typical Jew just can't imagine. And it's no secret. And they have no problem believing the lies about Israel and the alleged plans of attacks against them.
PA TV lies to kids:"Barbaric" Israel’s goal is to kill kids - so don't walk alone!Israel is “killing people everywhere” 
(Palestine Media Watch)


We have a very dangerous enemy, and it will take decades and generations to stop them completely if that's possible. But the fastest way to reduce the violence, the terrorism,  is to punish swiftly, completely and consistently. Immediate execution is the only way. Arab terrorists are not ordinary criminals and must not be given the same rights as a criminal. They are wedded to their ideology and their culture, which is a very deadly combination.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Nostra Aetate 50th Anniversary Marked by Controversial Vatican and Rabbinic Statements

posted by JewishIsrael.com

Nostra Aetate 50th Anniversary Marked by Controversial Vatican and Rabbinic Statements

Two statements, one Papal and one Rabbinic, addressing the status of Christian-Jewish interfaith relations emerged with great fanfare last month, only to cause confusion, denial, debate, and some embarrassment among Catholic and Jewish sources. A number of evangelical leaders also weighed in with critical reviews.

With Christian-Jewish relations on the brink, as evidenced by a noticeable rise in cross-denominational church anti-Israelism, it seems that the recent flurry of frantic interfaith activity may have been created to stem the ominous tide and to protect the vision of what was largely perceived to be the new era  of Christian love, from this newest wave of Church-driven anti-Semitism


Here in Part 1 of this report, JewishIsrael explores the reaction and the misunderstandings generated by the both the Vatican and CJCUC rabbinic initiated declarations, as well as the recent attempts at damage control…more




Opening Night! Very Off Broadway


Off, Off, Off Broadway extends as far as Jerusalem for sure. My husband and I were privileged to be among the lucky ones to attend opening night of “The Ghosts of Mizrachi Bet Street” by historian Zev Golan.

I must say that more than history came alive. Yair and Roni Stern came alive, too. I don't know how their son and his family felt sitting so publicly in the audience. My seat did not give me views of their expressions, but I felt that Zev Golan did a stupendous job in writing the play, and the actors,  just two on the stage, Steven Schub and Ayala Shiftan, played their roles amazingly well.


It's only going to be performed a few times, so get your tickets now and enjoy!!

Monday, January 25, 2016

Who Invented "Palestine?" HADRIAN!

Hadrian, Israel Museum
One of the key points in Israel's hasbara, information campaign should always be that there never ever was a country or people called Palestine. It's an invention. We generally blame it on Europeans in rather recent history, but when I was at the Israel Museum last week and checked out their big exhibit on Hadrian, I got the answer in the short film about him.

It described Hadrian as a sort of renaissance man of contrasts and ironies. He wrote beautiful poetry and was also a warrior. He had a female wife as a proper emperor should, but he lived openly in the army with a male lover. Of course, how open could things have been in the world before photography, telephones and internet?

But the most important little tidbit I gleaned from that movie was that in his efforts to defeat the Jewish People and Nation, he changed the name of the Land from Judea to "Palestine," sic.

The invention was an ancient one, and the aim was the same as the more modern use of the word. It's a simple tool to deny Jewish History and Jewish rights to our Land. That is why the word "Palestine" appears on all sorts of maps over the ages, but when we go back in time, we can see that the only People that ruled that Land directly, not as invaders, conquerors etc was the Jewish People.

Hadrian, Israel Museum

Hadrian:
Hadrian (/ˈhdriən/LatinPublius Aelius Hadrianus Augustus;[note 1][2][note 2]24 January, 76 AD – 10 July, 138 AD) was Roman emperor from 117 to 138. Hadrian is known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Britannia. He also rebuilt the Pantheon and constructed the Temple of Venus and Roma... Wikipedia

There's davka another interesting and relevant exhibit in the Israel Museum that shows the Jewish/Biblical connection to the Land of Israel aka Judea, Navigating the Bible: Early Maps of the Holy Land from the Chinn Collection.



Even though the agenda of the mapmakers is Christian, not Jewish, there are the Jewish cities, like Shiloh and Beit El.  This map exhibit closes at the end of January, so if you want to see it, I suggest going now.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Bibi vs Boogie: Good Cop vs Bad Cop?

This is no joke and certainly not good for Jewish security and the viability and future of the State of Israel.

Jewish families move into building located in Hebron. (photo credit:JEWISH COMMUNITY OF HEBRON)

Soon after Jews entered a building, legally purchased in Hebron the Israeli military forcefully removed them on orders of Defense Minister Moshe (Boogie) Ya’alon. And before the families could get fully moved in, they were forcefully removed.

An Israeli soldier removes the Israeli flag from a house as dozens of settlers were evacuated by Israeli security forces from two homes in Hebron on Jan. 22, 2016.PHOTO: ZUMA PRESS (Wall Street Journal)
And after threats by various MKs in Netanyahu's very shaky and tiny coalition...
PM: Israel to authorize return of evicted Hevron residentsNetanyahu says process to authorize Hevron homes will begin today, and stresses Israel's support for 'settlements under attack.'
What game are they playing?
What's the point of it?

Saturday, January 23, 2016

This Wave of Arab Terror Won't be Over So Quickly

Here in Shiloh, we're in the midst of celebrating thirty-eight 38 years of renewed Jewish Life in Shiloh, the very first Jewish Capital in the Land of Israel, during Biblical Times. Last night at the big discussion held after the "Leil Shabbat," Friday night Shabbat meal, one of the younger residents asked about the relations with nearby Arabs in the very early days of the community. He and others were surprised that in the late 1970's here in Shiloh and the other Benjamin and Samaria communities and even earlier than that in Hebron, there were excellent relations between Arabs and Jews.

Post 1967 Six Days War, after we (Israel) very quickly and relatively easily defeated Jordan, Syria and Egypt, the local Arabs feared and respected us. There were occasional attacks, but on the whole, it was clear to all that Israel was ruling and the Arabs had to learn to accept it.

Basically we all agreed that the turning point for Israel, when things began getting bad, was Menachem Begin's Camp David Agreement with Egypt, giving Egypt the Sinai and destroying all of the Jewish communities that had been established there. That's when the Arabs realized that we were a bunch of weak idiots, and they voted in more extremist leaders, and then Israel made more bad policy moves, and since then things have been snowballing in the wrong direction fast and furiously.

Family and friends of Israeli Dafna Meir attend her funeral in a cemetery in Jerusalem Monday, Jan. 18, 2016. A Palestinian broke into a West Bank settlement home and fatally stabbed an Israeli woman before fleeing Sunday, touching off a massive night manhunt, the Israeli military said. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3406021/Military-Palestinian-killed-Israeli-woman-detained.html#ixzz3y63aK275
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Now we have young teenage Arab terrorists who fear neither us nor their parents, and it's going to get harder and harder to stop them.
Watch: Terror teen shot dead while charging with knife13-year-old female Arab shot by guard as she ran at entrance to Samaria town with drawn knife in hand; Arab MK cries 'execution.'


Honestly, I do think that on the spot execution is best. I don't want to have us housing more terrorists, and they should not be tried as criminals. If they come to kill, like this one did, then they should be prepared to die. The State of Israel must work hard to undo the decades of damage done since Camp David. All of the peace sic agreements and gestures to the Arabs have only made them trust us less and support the terrorists more.

Friday, January 22, 2016

I Am Sick and Tired of the Anti-Jewish/Israel Hypocrisy!!


Apparently I'm not the only one just totally fed up with the lies and hypocrisy used against Israel and Jewish civil rights. Last night I saw an amazing video, highlights of a speech Caroline Glick had given.
Caroline Glick shut down the debate with this bombshell speech


Glick says here what I think and feel much better than I could ever do, so on this "short Friday" before Shabbat, I'll leave you with her. And unfortunately the recent decisions of the Israeli Government forcing Jews out of a Jewish owned home in Hebron is just more proof of how sick the situation is.

What about our civil rights? Why does not only the world, but the majority of Israeli politicians, the media, academics etc all support a judenrein Land of Israel?

PS Thanks to Marcel

Thursday, January 21, 2016

What Do They Have Against Rami Levy?


When I got home from work today, I turned on the Israeli News programs and kept switching to find something interesting. Suddenly I realized that there was a nasty fighting "discussion" about Rami Levy, yes the owner of the big discount supermarket chain, of which Yafiz, the clothing store where I work is associated. It's owned by Rami Levy's daughter.

Apparently one of the news programs had done some sort of "expose`" to make him look bad. One of the negative points was that workers are paid minimum wage, unlike some other supermarket chains, which is a reason why many Jews won't work for such and low salary, but many Arabs are willing to work there. Someone who either works for him or had worked for him was trying to defend him, but the poor guy kept losing his cool as the "tv journalists" kept attacking every word he was trying to say. One of his points was that if Rami Levy paid his workers more two things would happen:

  • He'd have to raise prices.
  • And he'd probably go bankrupt like Mega, another large chain.
Both points are true. But besides that, I'd like to tell you a true story, one of those few know. Today at work, the store manager was given a message:
"There's going to be some people coming to buy a boy an outfit to wear to his Bar Mitzvah. Rami Levy says to give him whatever is needed on him." 
So, my boss checked it out and found out it's legitimate. When the group came with the boy, he was fitted out with new clothes, head to toe.

A couple of years ago, we had a different story. There was a young girl whose family had gotten her a gorgeous new Shabbat (dressy) outfit in our store. When she was wearing it, an Arab terrorist attacked her. The outfit got ruined. When the girl recovered, and her family planned a big celebration, she said that she wanted to wear the same outfit. They called the store. In order to get it we had to contact the manufacturer, since we didn't have her size anymore. When the head of the Yafiz chain heard, the outfit was given to the girl as a gift.

These things happen all the time. It's just that most of the time, nobody knows. Now you do.

Israel, As The World Sees It


U.S. News has published rankings of Sixty Best Countries, and Israel made it to #25. Even though there's a list, I'm not quite sure what the criteria really were, since the photos are extremely odd and political on the whole. It's all especially strange since we're ranked between Russia and Greece.

I'd think Israel should be well above those two countries. I've been living in Israel since 1970, after having been born and grown up in New York. When I first came to Israel, life here was so much more "old-fashioned" than what I had been used to. But now, there's no difference. If anything, Israel seems more advanced than many countries, and quality of life, including necessary things like affordable top notch healthcare and public transportation are far superior to most. There are also the things you can't measure, such as community and caring, which are based on Jewish values, traditions and law. For instance, what the pollsters called "Quality of Life" does not score Israel correctly.

OVERALL RANK #34 OVERALL SCORE 1.5 ATTRIBUTES SCORE Economically stable 2.9 A good job market 0.7 Affordable 0.1 Safe 0.2 Politically stable 0.8 Family friendly 1.2 Well-developed public education system 4.3 Well-developed public health system 3.4 Income equality 0.7

Israel is "politically stable." It has a very stable government system. Frequent elections are not the same as revolutions, so the 0.8 ranking/score misses the point completely. I remember in the 1970's reading a similar type of survey about various countries and their quality of government in which Israel did poorly, because the Labor party had been in power without stop for then about seventeen years. Labor wasn't voted out of office until 1977, nineteen years after Israel's Independence. As of late we've had "early elections" more than once, but the Likud has held power for most of them, which is a sign of stability. And the Israeli political system gives certain power and status to the opposition, unlike the American system which gives no official status to whomever loses Presidential Elections.

 To give an idea of how inaccurate the listing is, France is #8.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

May Double Adar Bring Double Joy!


Gd willing this year with two months of Adar, the month associated with joy and a good reversal/change, will become a wonderful one. I'm giving you extra notice to start making plans for Rosh Chodesh Adar Alef, yes the first of the two.

As has been my custom for many years, I'm planning on spending the morning at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh praying with other women on Rosh Chodesh.

Women's Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma, 
Tel Shiloh Rosh Chodesh Adar Alef (#1)
Tuesday February 9, 2016
30th of Shevat, 5776, 8:30am
Hallel and Musaf for Rosh Chodesh
Tour of Tel Shiloh
Dvar Torah, Short Torah Lesson
Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors
תפילת נשים ראש חודש אדר א 
בשילה הקדומה, תל שילה
יום ג' 9-2  ל' שבט, תשע"ו 8:30
הלל ומוסף לראש חודש
יהיה דבר תורה קצר וסיור בתל
כדאי לבוא ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

Please save the date and let others know. Join our facebook group for more updates. And remember that there are many other things to do at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh. It's open to visitors six days a week. For more information call 02-994-4019.

And if you're interested in organizing rides for yourself and neighbors, then please contact Ben Levine of Awesome Tours. He has a supersized van, a bus that has room for fifteen 15 passengers comfortably.