The Migron Nightmare

My sources from Migron can't figure out what they did wrong.  They did the "right thing" according to their advisers, and now they've lost their homes and are discovering that the "new Migron" is not much sturdier than the "fake town" in Blazing Saddles.

"We've been suckered in." Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles

The "new Migron" may look pretty impressive from the road, but...

It hasn't even rained yet, and the earthwork is already crumbling.  People who have tried the electricity have found that systems don't work, and water tanks are seriously leaking.

Photo by Batya Medad

Necessary community structures like pre-schools, synagogue etc are not ready, not at all. The residents are scattered in a number of locations.  They followed the advice of "experts" and got "suckered in" for sure.  Some angry and disappointed residents are wondering why they hadn't gone the way of Givat Asaf which not only hasn't been moved and destroyed, but is even growing.

In the beginning they had lots of political visitors, veteran, powerful Knesset Members, including from the coalition, who promised to help and support them, but when push came to shove, the only ones with them are MK Dr. Arye Eldad and MK Michael Ben-Ari, both from the National Union, Ichud Le'umi.

Coalition MK's are held on a tight leash by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. This is proof again that it is extremely important to vote for a party that holds principles above all else and doesn't aim to be in a coalition.  The larger and stronger the NU is, the better the Likud will be.  Right now, the opposition form the Left is pulling him Left.  We need a strong and large opposition on the Right!

There's  a very important lesson to be  learned.

Vote Ichud Le'umi, National Union!!

NU Should Stay Out Of The Coalition Straight-Jacket!

The Ichud Le'umi, National Union Party is one of the few Israeli political parties not in the coalition. At least that's how it seems.

I don't want it to join the coalition. Joining the coalition means that they'd be willing to be tied by Bibi's strings.

If Ketzeleh would be a government minister, like some of his supporters would like, he'd be prevented from demonstrating for a return to Gush Katif. Today, he and his fellow NU MK Ben-Ari, were actively involved in the march from Sderot to Gush Katif. Yes, I know, the demonstrators didn't make it. The police stopped the demonstrators and arrested some, or at least held them in jail until the judge released them.

Yes, I know that he'd claim that he'd only join the government if he'd be allowed to continue fighting and demonstrating. Fine, but no doubt Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu would just reply that he can choose between the "Volvo" and the picket line. Bibi already has over thirty ministers; he doesn't need any more.

Bibi doesn't want protests from the inside criticizing his "peace talks." It's enough for him to gag and placate the more nationalist Likud MK's like Gilad Erdan, Benny Begin and newcomer, Tzippi Hotobelli (spelling?)

The National Union Knesset Members have a vital role in the Israeli Government--- from the outside!

Will Avigdor Lieberman Go "Diplomatic?"

Israeli Minister Dismisses Peace Effort
By ISABEL KERSHNER
In a belligerent speech on his first day as Israel’s foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman declared that “those who want peace should prepare for war.” (Click title for complete article)

Egypt to boycott Lieberman unless he apologizes

FM said in October that Egyptian president "can go to hell..."

I sincerely hope that Israel's new Foreign Minister brings in his own staff and is immune to the usual brain-washing of high government officials.

Too many times in our history, we've elected strong, patriotic politicians and then discovered that Loony-Left wing dybbuks had taken over their brains.

I'm certainly not a Lieberman fan, but considering the rest of Bibi's bloated cabinet, he's like a breath of fresh air. Now, of course, he's saying the right things, at least as far as I'm concerned.

A fawning Foreign Minister is the last thing we need. At this point, the world is nervous. That's good.

I hope and pray that Lieberman doesn't suffer the same insecurities and inferiority complexes our other politicians in high office have suffered from. I trust that he's bright and intuitive to understand that he received most of his votes from people who liked his straight-talking about security and loyalty. Bibi Netanyahu and the Likud wimped out on it, and the Ichud Le'umi (National Union) hasn't a fraction of the charisma Bibi and Lieberman are gifted with.

The NU's new MK Michael Ben-Ari has managed to grab headlines with statements which make Lieberman look like a moderate. That's good, and that's Ben-Ari's role. No matter what the PC's may think.

Israeli politics is never dull. I hope that this new government will be a good one for us, G-d willing.

A Tune To Help You See Why the National Union Should Stay Out of The Government

There are quite a few people who are disappointed that the Ichud Le'umi, the National Union, didn't find a way of joining Bibi Netanyahu's humongous cabinet. Some of those same people think that it wasn't a mistake for Moshe Feiglin to continue in the Likud. They don't think that they wasted their votes by voting Likud.

If you read my previous posts about the elections, before and after, you'd see that I'm not really surprised. I knew that Bibi wanted a Center-Left coalition. The NU was one of the least welcome parties to join the party.

The Ichud Le'umi has a very important role. It is the Conscience of the Nation. It doesn't matter how small it is. It has Hope, Hatikvah. So just sing along with Frank Sinatra:

Frank Sinatra - High Hopes

Writer(s): cahn/van heusen

Next time your found, with your chin on the ground
There a lot to be learned, so look around

Just what makes that little old ant
Think hell move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, cant
Move a rubber tree plant

But hes got high hopes, hes got high hopes
Hes got high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time your gettin low
stead of lettin go
Just remember that ant
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant

When troubles call, and your backs to the wall
There a lot to be learned, that wall could fall

Once there was a silly old ram
Thought hed punch a hole in a dam
No one could make that ram, scram
He kept buttin that dam

cause he had high hopes, he had high hopes
He had high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time your feelin bad
stead of feelin sad
Just remember that ram
Oops there goes a billion kilowatt dam

All problems just a toy balloon
Theyll be bursted soon
Theyre just bound to go pop
Oops there goes another problem kerplop

Jiminy Cricket, The National Union!

At this point, what should the role of the Ichud Le'umi, the National Union, be in Israeli politics, in the Israeli Government in Israeli life?

Caroline Glick admits that their policies are consistently correct:

THE ONE POLITICIAN who has been outspoken in opposing the mass release of terrorists has been MK Ya'acov (Ketzeleh) Katz, the leader of the National Union party. Together with the families of terror victims who oppose the government's intention to release their relatives' murderers, Katz has been the loudest voice in politics stridently opposing the deal. He has made clear that it will endanger the country and guarantee the murder and abduction of still more Israelis.
Katz and the National Union have it right on this issue. Indeed, they have it right on just about every major strategic issue they have championed. From their opposition to the failed Oslo process to their opposition to the failed Camp David summit, from their opposition to the withdrawal from south Lebanon and Gaza to their opposition to the failed road map peace process and the failed Annapolis peace process, the National Union has been right all along. It has always stayed true to its principles.

But as right as they are, she claims that to be wrong.

FOR ALL of its strategic wisdom and clearheadedness, the National Union is a political home for delusional politicians. In all of its various incarnations - from Tehiya to Herut to Moledet to the National Union - the party has never been able to understand what it means to govern. It has never been able to recognize that politics is the art of compromise.

But why should the only honest, clear-thinking party back down and conform to the Israeli PC delusions? Don't blame the National Union and its predecessors, Techiya and Moledet, for Israel's problems. Just like Pinocchio endangered himself and Gepetto by not listening to Jiminy Cricket, Israeli politicians who followed American orders, rather than do what was best for Israel, must admit their fundamental mistakes.

In 1992, angry that Likud under prime minister Yitzhak Shamir bowed to US pressure and participated in the Madrid peace conference, Tehiya brought down his government. In so doing, it brought in Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres and brought the country the Oslo process and Yasser Arafat in Ramallah.
In 1999, angry at Netanyahu for bowing to US pressure and agreeing to the Wye Plantation accords, the National Union brought down his government. In so doing, it brought in Ehud Barak and Yossi Beilin, the withdrawal from Lebanon and the Camp David summit.

The Likud's tragic weakness has always been its desire to show that it's not an "extremist Right wing party."

That's why Menachem Begin defied his voters and supporters when taking office, in 1977, and gave the post-Yom Kippur War failed Moshe Dayan the authority to decide policy.

That's why Yitzchak Shamir agreed to go to the Madrid Conference and didn't pack and leave with a parting: "אין עם מי לדבר Ain im mi l'daber. There's nobody to speak to." After Arab terrorists shot at a bus full of innocent Israeli women and children on their way to a demonstration. The terrorists murdered two, my good friend and neighbor, Rachella Druk, mother of seven and the bus driver, Yitzchak Rofeh. A number of children were also injured. Shamir should have used this as an example of why it's impossible to negotiate with murdering terrorists.

That's also one of the reasons for Ariel Sharon's Disengagement policy which, besides destroying Jewish homes, towns, businesses etc and turning peaceful, innocent Israelis into homeless evictees, it brought Arab terrorist missiles closer to Israeli civilians.

Glick shouldn't blame Techiya. Shamir should have left the conference and apologized to Techiya and the Israeli People for his "momentary" weakness. Techiya would have then rejoined the government, and then we never would have had to cope with the increased terrorism caused by the Peres-Rabin Oslo Accords which gave even more advanced weapons to the Arab terrorists and facilitated the horrendous situation we're in now.

As a Techiya, Moledet and now National Union voter and supporter, I expect my party to be the conscience of the nation. Somebody has to be. Glick sure isn't. I don't want my MK's haggling over ministry perks like the NRP.

It took a while for Pinocchio to get it Right, and I hope we won't need to get swallowed by a whale first.

Give a Little Whistle

When you get in trouble and you don't know right from wrong
Give a little whistle! Give a little whistle!
When you meet temptation and the urge is very strong
Give a little whistle! Give a little whistle!

Not just a little squeak, pucker up and blow
And if your whistle's weak, yell, "Jiminy Cricket!"
Right!

Take the straight and narrow path
And if you start to slide
Give a little whistle! Give a little whistle!
And always let your conscience be your guide

NRP-Jewish Home Should Close The Business

There was a very large choice of parties to choose from in this year's Israeli Elections, but not all got in.

There's lots of talk that the "far Right" Ichud Le'umi (NU) and Jewish Home (NRP) would have done better if they had stayed united as one party. That talk's from the media and those not involved. I think there would have been a lower Right turnout and fewer seats. Most of us, who had voted for the united party last elections, were disgusted, frustrating and wondering what to do with our precious vote.

Before the previous elections had I tried volunteering for the party. A few dozen of us English speaking/writing activists showed up at the NRP building on King George St., Jerusalem. We were armed with enthusiasm for a united political party of Moledet-NRP etc. We found the NRP spouting tired old slogans and knew that we were in the wrong place.

That's why Arieh Eldad's supporters established Hatikvah, but the brilliant professors backing him haven't a clue how to succeed in politics. So, again, I felt shut out. The reconstituted National Union suits my ideology. It was just very last minute and therefore didn't reach its potential. Yes, it has potential. The NRP-Jewish Home doesn't. The vast majority of its voters are old. For many it's the party of Bnai Akiva and high school memories. I come from a different world and don't have those shared memories.

Today's Israeli youth remember how disappointed they were with the NRP during Disengagement and Amona. Even their school system is in crisis. Many parents are looking for alternatives to the state-run Mamlachti-Dati system and Bnai Akiva High Schools.

NRP-Jewish Home should really close its doors. Their name change was just a PR act. The best of today's Israeli youth reminds me of the idealism of my own in the 1960's. We rejected the platitudes of our parents and looked for genuine meaning. The "sixties" wasn't just "drugging out." For those who went in that direction, it was a rejection of the post-WWII staid materialism. For many of us, our reaction was activism and idealism. That's what brought me to Torah Judaism and Zionism.

Today's national religious zionist youth (lower case letters) sees through the superficial images. That's why they live on Biblical hilltops or in non-religious cities to make a difference. The ones who have dropped out, or "took off their kippot," are obviously another story. But they're not NRP voting potential either.

Don't forget that Bibi didn't win big, because he ignored his potential voters by his words and actions. And the NRP is lucky to have made the cut this year. Its ideology is no longer relevant or attractive. Lieberman's Israel is Our Home and Ketzela-Eldad's National Union spoke clearly and got votes.

Now we're waiting for the official final distribution of Knesset seats and the coalition bribery/negotiations.

Hashem Ya'azor
Heaven Help Us

Last Minute Pitch, Why vote for the Ichud Leumi?

Not my original text, but I agree with it, so I'm posting it. It was sent out by Uri Bank.

Why vote for the Ichud Leumi?
Because our list is comprised of a group of leaders who have the absolute best track record when it comes to building up and protecting Eretz Yisrael. Responsible leaders of clear vision who see the reality for what it is and forewarned about everything that in fact happened in wake of the hallucinatory "peace" plans, based on giving parts of Eretz Yisrael over to Arab sovereignty.

Because the Ichud Leumi was successful in uniting five different parties and of the fact that we have Secular Jews and Haredi Jews as a central part of our leadership and constituency. Our commitment to cooperate with one another is not out of political need, but out of an ideology of Achdut Yisrael and together we create a much stronger force to fight for Am, Eretz and Torat Yisrael.

Because the Ichud Leumi is the only party that totally negates the institution of another palestinian state west of the Jordan River or any other type of giving land/sovereignty to Arabs, as well as being the only party that is promoting any kind of viable alternative peace plan that will bring real peace to Israel (see: www.Israelinitiative.com).

Because our Chairman Ketzaleh and MK Uri Ariel have done no less, and maybe even more, than the Mafdal reps. when it comes to securing government funding for the Zionut HaDatit institutions and Arutz 7 and you can bank on the fact that they both will continue to do so with their proven talents and track records.

Because on top of all of the above - you get one thing more... Uri Bank. The Jerusalem Post has recently named Uri: "the only Anglo candidate running with a party currently represented in the Knesset who has any chance of getting elected." He has formulated an initiative to help cut through the red-tape and injustices that many times accompany Western Olim absorption into the Israeli society and work force. Please see the attached document for the full details of this initiative. According to the most recent polls, Uri is the one who is now on the cusp. Voting for the Ichud Leumi will likely get him into Knesset, where he intends to serve as the Anglo Community's Congressman, to whom he will be accountable.


Why not vote for the Likud?
Because Binyamin Netanyahu is going to be the next Prime Minister even without your vote. Now the real issue is what will be the make-up of his coalition and if we will be able to influence the guidelines of his government. We've already seen him in office and know all too well that he cannot be trusted when it comes to the issue of capitulation of land and giving-in to the palestinians. (Remember - he shook Arafat's hand, gave them control of Chevron and voted for the cruel and senseless expulsion from Gush Katif and Northern Shomron). It is crucial that the Ichud Leumi get enough seats in order to become a force that Netanyahu will have to reckon with and include in his government. None of the other parties can be trusted to force him to include loyalty to the integrity of Eretz Yisrael and the settlements in his governmental guidelines.

Because Binyamin Netanyahu, Limor Livnat, Silvan Shalom, Yisrael Katz and Yuval Steinitz - who are central leaders on the Likud's list - all voted in favor of the disastrous and senseless expulsion plan, that only brought pain and suffering to the expellees and the residents of Southern Israel.

Because up until this moment, despite all that we've been through, the Likud absolutely refuses to negate the institution of a palestinian state in Yehuda, Shomron and Azza in their platform and their official party press statements.


Why not vote for Yisrael Beiteinu?
Because Lieberman has explicitly stated time and again that he is willing to vacate his home in Nokdim and give parts of Yehuda and Shomron and Eastern Jerusalem to the palestinians in order for them to establish a palestinian state. (Yes, I know it's hard to believe given all his posturing regarding his animosity towards the Arabs, but the fact remains that this IS his explicitly declared diplomatic plan, which places him even further left than the Likud...)

Because this party has anti-Orthodox elements, sentiments and legislation proposals, all of which undermine the Jewish nature of the State.


Why not vote for the Bayit Yehudi-Mafdal?
Because the new Chairman of the party Prof. Rabbi Herskowitz has explicitly said that he can live with his party being "neither right nor left wing" and with its members being given leeway and freedom on issues relating to Eretz Yisrael.

Because the previous Chairman Zvulun Orlev (the current #2 on this list) continued to sit in Ariel Sharon's government even after this government decided to expel the Jews of Gush Katif and Northern Shomron -thus contributing to Sharon's ability to actuate the expulsion plan.

Because this is a small, sectarian party that caters only to the National Orthodox community and does not serve as a bridge between the secular and orthodox sides of Israeli society. This is proven by the fact that they have never agreed to put a non-orthodox Jew on their list for Knesset.

Ichud Leumi: Revolutionary Reform for Western Olim

MK hopeful Bank hopes to 'Bibi-sit' Likud on olim rights, Palestinians

Interview with Uri Bank of Ichud HaLeumi

The only candidate Anglos can 'Bank' on?

At JPost Debate, Uri Bank states: "The land of Israel belongs to us and not the Arabs"

If You're Planning on Voting For NRP, Do It For The Right Reason

Yes, there is one reason only to vote for NRP, Jewish Home, whatever you want to call it, it still has the "Bet" letter on the ballot.

There are innumerable reasons not to vote for it. Here's an example:


But if you want to rationalize, because of your strong addiction/habit, IMPO, the only legitimate reason is because it has a vote sharing agreement for "surplus" votes with Ichud Le'umi.

Getting To Know The National Union, Ichud Le'umi's Uri Bank

Read the interview with Uri Bank on Rafi's Life in Israel. Don't let Uri's youthful look fool you. He's no youngster. Uri is a veteran political activist, who has been in Israel since he was a child.

He has much more political experience than most of the MK hopefuls on other party lists. I had decided on Ichud Le'umi before reading what Uri has to say, and the interview is making me feel totally confident about my decision.

Busy Electioneering

Yesterday, I was happy to discover pro-Ichud Le'umi, National Union, volunteers busy campaigning on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem. It was encouraging to see that many people willingly took the handouts.

I told them that I was disappointed that they didn't call me. I would have gladly joined. By the time I found them, I was on my way to catch a bus.

The Great Right Hope

I have no doubts that a very sizable, probably majority, of Israeli Jews are really Right in their kishkes, guts. That's the main reason why Bibi Netanyahu courted Benny Begin for this year's elections. Bibi knew that for many, having Benny on the Likud list would make it "Glatt Kosher" for a lot of Israeli patriots.

The big problem is Benny Begin. He's not a politician and has as much charisma as Castor oil. Arlene Kushner's latest update describes last Saturday night's Election Forum in Jerusalem:

Elections are coming a week from tomorrow, and when we consider the above, it cannot be too soon. Dear Heaven, at the end of the day, may we find ourselves with leaders who will protect our nation.

Briefly here: Polls continue to show Likud in the lead, by how much depends on which poll you are looking at. The biggest surprise is the gain by Yisrael Beitenu, the party of Avigdor Lieberman.

The major candidates held a forum in Jerusalem on Motzei Shabbat (Saturday night). Benny Begin, representing Likud, was a disappointment, as he spoke only against Kadima and did not present a solid and coherent platform for Likud. One senses that Begin, who has a sterling reputation for integrity, is tired and will not be the force within the party that it was hoped he would be.

The star of the evening, according to audience response, was Uri Bank, who is on the list for National Union (Ihud Leumi) and presented a forceful and dynamic vision of what the party stands for. This nationalist, Zionist party is the clearest in its refusal to consider a Palestinian state.

No surprise for me, at least.

A Vote For Likud Is A Vote For Kadima

Bibi Netanyahu has been very blunt, clear, upfront about his running as a "centrist" and his plans for a "centrist" coalition.

Not only are there many patriotic, Right wing Jews planning on voting for Likud, but there are also some good reliably Right wing candidates on the Likud list. I feel sorry for them. At the Jerusalem Conference, young Likud MK Gilad Erdan and Likud hopeful Tzippi Hotobeli were very impressively Right. But Erdan lost his cool when asked about his fellow Likud MK's voting for Disengagement.

Bibi has welcomed to the Likud Dan Meridor and Uzi Dayan, among others, way to the Left. Meridor and Dayan will get the plum posts, not Erdan and Hotobeli. And don't forget how Bibi managed to push down Moshe Feiglin, Moshe Muskal and other Right wing hopefuls far from the safe spots on the Likud list.

Last August at the Jewish Bloggers Conference, I hear Bibi say that he hopes to welcome lots of Kadima MK's into the Likud.

There is only one scenario in which Kadima and Labor won't join the Likud in the coalition, and that's if their members make such a hullabaloo, Tsippi and/or Barak have to bow down to the pressure. On today's political newscast there were already jokes about how they'd make excuses for why they have to join.

Rumours abound that Kadima hotshots are already negotiating their retrun to Likud, and Labor would like theirs back, too. They'll blame it all on Tsippi.

Bibi may not want Lieberman either.

Honestly, I just like to keep things simple. I'm voting Ichud Le'umi. I think it's important to have a very strong Right wing opposition. Remember that both Menachem Begin's Camp David gift of the Sinai to Egypt and Ariel Sharon's Disengagement, giving Gush Katif and Northern Shomron to the Arab terrorists, were during Likud Governments. The Left wouldn't dare do such things, because they have always been afraid of the Right.

We have to vote in a strong Right to be an extremely strong opposition. That will be the best for the future and security of The State of Israel, the Land of Israel and the People of Israel.

Reporting On The Jerusalem Conference-- Part 1

Last night I attended the opening of the Jerusalem Conference. I sat next to Arlene Kushner and agree with her report on Lt.-Gen. (ret.) Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon speech, which you can find on her site. She left soon later and probably would have been as disgusted and disappointed as most of us were at Ketzaleh's clown-like behavior. He treated it like an election rally and never answered the questions he was asked, nor did he pay any attention to what the others were saying. Some people would say that the conference was "his baby," and he thought that he was above all. No, it won't affect my plans to vote for Ichud Le'umi.

And even while I was very impressed by the two young Likud representatives, MK Gilad Erdan and Tzipi Hotobeli (Likud candidate/hopeful,) I don't think that they will have any real influence on the Likud. Bibi Netanyahu is controlling it very tightly. Erdan lost his cool when discussing the fact that most of the Likud MK's supported Disengagement. He couldn't explain it, and I was among those entirely incredulous, not quite comprehending his defense of the Likud. I would love to see Erdan and Hotobeli in Ichud Le'umi. I think they're wasting their energies and talents in the Likud, where they will be stifled.

MK Ophir Pines-Paz (Labor) was his usual obnoxious, illogical and irrational self. He insists we need "two nations for two Peoples," but he wouldn't transfer Arabs from their homes and fled the conference before questions to the panel. He mocked all those, like Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon and Katzeleh, who "enter politics at sixty," after successful careers in other spheres, claiming they don't know anything about being politicians. I kept thinking of what one newspaper editor told me:

"I prefer to hire those who have degrees in history, science, economics etc, because any intelligent person can learn how to write an article. Those who study journalism don't know anything about what they're supposed to be writing."

Too many politicians just learn how to be elected, and they really don't understand the issues, history and background.

I'll just return to Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon and MK Gilad Erdan before closing this post. Yes, they did say all the right things, but I still have my doubts. I didn't hear Ya'alon's shouting and leading anti-Disengagement demonstrations after resigning. Nor did MK Gilad Erdan forcefully voice and publicize his opposition. As Likud MK's they don't (won't) have the freedom to do as they please, as they believe.

That's another reason why I'm voting Ichud Le'umi and consider it the wisest choice. I don't want to vote for people who must guard their tongue and compromise.

The Likud Is Pro-Pseudistinian State, So Vote Ichud Le'umi!

I had to read this a few times, until it hit. Via my facebook account, I got an invitation to a debate:

Event Info Host: Hatikva - The Zionist National Party
Type: Meetings - Informational Meeting
Network: Global
Time and Place Date: Monday, January 19, 2009
Time: 9:45am - 12:45pm
Location: אולם זוהר - Zohar Hall
Street: קריית טבעון
City/Town: Kiryat Tivon, Israel
מדינה פלשתינאית, בעד ונגד - Palestinian State, for & against
עימות - debate


בעד:
הליכוד- יובל שטייניץ
קדימה - נחמן שי
העבודה - אבישי ברוורמן
מרצ - אילן גילאון

נגד:
התקווה-האיחוד הלאומי - רון בריימן

היכן?
אולם זוהר, קריית טבעון,
מתי?
יום שני הקרוב
19.01.09, 09:45
For:
Yuval Steinitz - Likud
Kadima - Nahman Shai
Labor - Avishai Braverman
Meretz - Ilan Gilon

Against:
Hatikva-Ichud HaLeumi - Ron Breiman

Where?
Zohar Hall, Kiryat Tivon,
When?
Monday 19.01.09, 09:45am

Only one party opposes a Pseudistinian State, Hatikvah-Ichud Le'umi, and that's why I'm voting Hatikvah-Ichud Le'umi!

Don't pay attention to the Likud's scare tactics about their needing more votes than Kadima. They must take votes from Kadima, the Left, not from the right. How could anyone else vote for Dan Meridor, Uzi Dayan etc. Bibi has been busy building a center-left party. He needs a strong Right to make him realize that the people don't want another Left wing government. That's what a vote for Hatikvah-Ichud Le'umi will do, make Bibi better.

War/Election News

Before starting, just to remind you that Jack has a new war update up on his blog.

How do both the war and elections combine in a good way? Easy, when a candidate on the Ichud Le'umi, National Union Party is called up for miluim reserve duty and goes to fight for his/our country.

Uri Bank, Standing By His Principles

Yes, that's the party I'm voting for, the united right for The Land and People and State of Israel, the patriotic party, Ichud Le'umi.

Will it be enough?

Arik Sharon's and the Disengagement Authority's hype about a "solution for every family" is recognized by even the most enthusiastic disengagers as a bluff.

Thousands of innocent Jews were exiled from their homes and set up in all sorts of temporary setups, without the minimal financial compensation needed to buy or build new homes.

Almost two full years have passed, and most are unemployed, living in refugee camps far from employment possibilities. The "lucky ones" who received some money have eaten most of it or spent it on new appliances, since their old ones were broken or lost "in transit."

Now, the Knesset, led by Ichud Le'umi (National Union) MK Uri Ariel has allocated more money.

Will it be enough? Will it solve the problems? What's the point of just giving without providing homes to buy or land to build on?

I also think that they should give up on their unrealistic dream to recreate their former lives. It's a humpty dumpty dream, just impossible.

Why aren't their leaders encouraging them to look further afield to establish new lives and stop mourning their old one?