Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Jordan, Since 1924

Jordan did not become a state until 1946.

Sharif Hussein ibn Ali was, for 8 months in 1924, a presumptuous Caliph (there was another, too) but no one recognized him:-

Two days after the Turkish Caliphate was abolished by the Turkish Grand National Assembly on 3 March 1924, Hussein declared himself Caliph at his son Abdullah's winter camp in Shunah, Transjordan. The claim to the title had a mixed reception, and he was soon ousted and driven out of Arabia by the Saudis, a rival clan that had no interest in the Caliphate. Saud defeated Hussein in 1924. Hussein continued to use the title of Caliph when living in Transjordan.
and
A last attempt at restoring the caliphal office and style with ecumenical recognition was made by al-Husayn ibn `Ali al-Hashimi, King of Hejaz and Sharif of Mecca, who assumed both on 11 March 1924 and held them until 3 October 1924, when he passed the kingship to his son `Ali ibn al-Husayn al-Hashimi, who did not adopt the caliphal office and style.

Despite that, read on for more Arab fantasy at the UN yesterday:

Jordan warns against Israeli violations in Jerusalem
Jordan said late Tuesday that incursions by right-wing extremists into Al-Haram al-Sharif/Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which spiked during religious holidays and other occasions, threatened peace and security in the region and beyond.

During the Security council meeting, HRH Prince Zeid bin Ra’ad, Jordan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations said the mosque compound, together with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, had been under Jordanian custodianship and protection since 1924.

"East Jerusalem was occupied territory under international law, and Israel, as the occupying Power, was obliged under the 1907 Hague regulations to treat religious institutions as private property, even when it was State-owned" Jordan's envoy said.

HRH warned that unless threats to the compound ceased, such provocations would engender a massive crisis with the Muslim world, and even parts of the Christian world, while jeopardizing the region’s security.

By the way, Jerusalem was under the control of the Mandate.

And anyway, who is threatening whom?

^

A Dead Muslim Has More Rights Than a Live Jew

On the Temple Mount:





That was the bier of a lawyer, Amjad al-Safadi, who, it is claimed, committed suicide in his home five days after being released from prison.

Haaretz reports he was an East Jerusalem lawyer 

recently indicted on charges of contact with a foreign agent and providing services to an illegal organization...[and] indicted for allegedly carrying messages between prisoners and Hamas activists on the outside...Safadi had been in custody for a few weeks and was released five days ago to house arrest. During his incarceration his family said he was suffering from depression. 

In death, with more rights than a Jew (not that we would wish to have funerals up there).

At the HaLiba Conference

I attended last night the Conference to protest the intolerable situation on the Temple Mount and a picture:



Here I am:



initiated by Haliba with Yehuda Glick, Linda Olmert, Tom Nisani and participants: MKs Moshe Feiglin, Orit Struck, Moti Yogev, Shuli Mualem and former MK Prof. Arieh Eldad, Dr. Mordechai Kedar, blogger Avishai HaIvri and others.

More here; and here.

And at Ma'an News.

^

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Will the Temple Mount Trump the Western Wall?

If I read into this what I think I am reading into this, those progressive forces who refused to extend assistance to the campaign for Jewish rights on the Temple Mount, because, well, religious Jews are different and the issue is political and that only when peace comes can the issue be addressed.

And now, it seems that the special prayer area for the Wowers aka "Women of the Wall" is having problems due to ... religious Muslims who seek to extend their influence outside the Temple Mount in a political effort to subvert peace.

What do you think?

U.S. demanding swift solution for equality at Western Wall, says Israeli official
 The U.S. administration is highly involved and interested in reaching a suitable and swift solution to non-Orthodox prayer arrangements at the Western Wall, according to an official in the Prime Minister’s Office, who also said the issue affects Israel’s foreign relations.

Washington regards the problem as sensitive and fears that far-reaching structural changes at the site could spark a confrontation with Palestinians over the Temple Mount, according to Reuven Pinsky, chairman of the PMO’s national heritage department...

Pinsky was explaining to a committee why it should grant an exemption from issuing a tender in order to enable the PMO to continue working with an architect long involved in the plans for Robinson’s Arch. An egalitarian prayer platform for non-Orthodox worshipers is supposed to be built at the Robinson’s Arch site, south of the existing Western Wall prayer plaza...the reason for the urgency, he said, is “the sensitive issue on the agenda, which affects both Israel’s foreign relations in the prism of the Jewish communities in the United States and the U.S. administration, which is very involved and interested in a suitable and swift solution, as well as domestic factors and the Israeli public as a whole.”

...The plan was torpedoed, mainly due to the anticipated opposition of the Palestinians and the Jordanians, who were concerned about construction near the Temple Mount. The Israeli Antiquities Authority also opposed the plan.  For the last 10 months, a committee headed by Cabinet Secretary Avichai Mandelblit has been working on a more modest plan for an egalitarian prayer platform at Robinson’s Arch that does not require any significant construction work adjacent to the Temple Mount...

^

Whose "Long History" in Jerusalem?

Reported


Jordan’s custodianship of Al Aqsa ‘in danger’, officials warn
Jordan’s historic custodianship of Al Aqsa Mosque is facing renewed legal and political threats by Israeli attempts to assume control over the holy site, officials and religious leaders warned...At the opening of an international conference on Jerusalem, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah and attended by HRH Prince Ghazi on Monday......“Every day there is a new motion in the Israeli Knesset attempting to subvert Jordanian authority over Al Aqsa and place it under Israeli control,”...“There is a very clear strategy by the Israeli government and extremist Israeli groups to end the Jordanian and Palestinian role in Jerusalem and Al Aqsa Mosque and place it entirely under their control.”...“Extremist groups and politicians are now forcing their way into Al Aqsa and Al Haram Al Sharif every day to claim the site as theirs and to create a prayer area within the mosque,” said Azzam Khatib, head of the Jerusalem Awqaf Department, which functions under Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Hayel Dawood [said] “Our responsibility towards Al Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian cause is deep... a core responsibility that has been carried by the Hashemite monarchy in its long history,”

"Long history"?

Can you imagine?  Our history in Jerusalem outdates Jordan by some 3000 years, including the First and Second Temples.

^



Low-Intensity Conflict Report #91 April 13-28, 2014

Low-Intensity Conflict Report #91 April 13-28, 2014



These reports are translated and publicized by Yehudit Tayar for Hatzalah Yehudah and Shomron with the clearance and confirmation of the IDF.  Hatzalah Yehudah and Shomron is a voluntary emergency medical organization with over 500 volunteer doctors, paramedics, medics who are on call 24/7 and work along with the IDF, 669 IAF Airborn Rescue, the security officers and personal throughout Yesha and the Jordan Valley, and with MDA.

We, the volunteers of Hatzalah Yehudah and Shomron go out to rescue anyone who needs our emergency medical assistance; including civilians, military and Arabs also those within the PA territories. (with IDF presence) To us a life is precious and we go out at risk leaving home and family or stopping on the road to rescue anyone in need.

This is a partial report of the on-going terror attacks against Israel and IDF and innocent civilians. While the world continues to pressure Israel and boycott products from Yesha the attacks continue daily by those who wish to murder Jews in our Land.  It is imperative to break the silence of these attacks which are both encouraged and condoned by the Palestinian Authority, the UNWRA who teach to hate and murder using the excuse of Israel occupying these areas and willfully ignoring the establishment of the PLO in 1964 before the Six Day War in 1967.



April 13

Jerusalem: At the Temple Mt. when Jewish visitors who were allowed to enter the Temple Mt. began to pray the Police were attacked by Arabs with rocks fire bombs and firecrackers.  The attackers were pushed back by the police-  2 policemen lightly injured.

Rock attacks:

Shomron Region

Between Tapuah and Migdalim

Yitzhar Junction causing damage

50 meters west from Ma'aleh Shomron Junction

100 meters east of Yitzhar Junction causing damage to vehicle

East of Yitzhar

Near Kedumim

Benjamin Region

South of Ophra

North of Kochav HaShachar causing damage

Na'alin Border policeman commander of a unit was injured in his chin by rocks – given medical treatment by IDF ambulatory unit and then taken to Tel Hashomer Hospital, female border policewoman suffers from bruises returned to base.

Near Ma'aleh Levona

Between Givat Asaf and Ophra

Nebe Zalah

Anatot junction causing damage to cars

Rocks and fire bombs west of Abud bypass near Neve Zuf

Highway 446 west of Nili

Gush Etzion Region

Hikers attacked near Betar

Security vehicle of Metzad attacked near security fence damage to the window-  the attackers were caught.

Gush Etzion-Hevron Highway near El Hadar

Near Bet Umar

Near Arab Tekoa

Northern entrance to Efrat IDF and security of Efrat took charge of incident

Near Tekoa causing several light injuries and serious damage to the vehicle

El Arub several bus attacks

Hevron Region

Near Cave of the Patriarchs causing damage to car

North of Kiryat Arbabus attacked at Bet Anun

Turn-off 160

Hevron- near old industrial region visitors attacked

Several attacks at Policemans Square Hevron Border policeman injured from rocks in his hand in one of them in another the attackers was arrested

Northern entrance to Halhul young Arabs with masks attack vehicles with rocks no injured

Slingshot was used in rock attack by 2 terrorists near Policemans Square lightly injuring policeman.  The terrorists were stopped by crowd dispersing of the security forces injuring 7 of the terrorists lightly

Halhul causing damage to bus

Hevron near Jewish Cemetary IDF force attacked – the attacker was apprehended

Youth injured lightly near Pharmacist check-post

Armed terrorist with knife caught near the Cave of the Patriarchs security searching for another suspect who escaped

Har Hevron Region

Shomron:

Yakir junction 

Tapuah Junction terrorist arrest from the village of Bet Fuka carrying a knife on his way to a stabbing terror attack

Between Gilad Farm and Yitzhar

Benjamin Region:

16.4 Hikers reported that when arriving to Han Lueben near the northern entrance to Ma'alhe Levona a Arab waved a knife at them.  Security investigated and arrested the Arab who threatened the hikers.

Hevron:  Mazal tov ! At 15:00 the first families return to Bet HaShalom in Hevron

Gush Etzion Hevron Highway bus attacked with glass bottles of color at Halhul bypass north of Hevron in an attempt to cause an accident. Damage to front window but driver continued to drive.

Hevron:

Shooting attack:

Tarkumia Junction IDF reported shots fired at Idna Junction. From the terror attack Police officer who traveled with his family from Modi'in to Kiryat Arba was murdered, Baruch Mizrachi HY"D his wife was injured seriously.  In the next car a young boy was injured lightly. Opher Ochana from Hatzallah Yehudah and Shomron attempted to save Baruch giving him life support which sadly failed.

Fire Bombs

Shomron

Student of Ariel University reported that he picked up a hitch-hiker at the exit of Ariel towards Highway 60 and at some point in the trip the hitch hiker attacked the student and stole the car leaving the student near Peduel and the stolen car entered an Arab village. The stolen vehicle was found burned in Amar village in the Benjamin Region.

At Hawara

At bus between Tapuah and Migdalim

Fire bomb and pipe bomb near Itamar

Between Yitzhar and Gilad Farm at bus and another at car

Har Hevron

500 meters west of Adura

IDF force attacked near Neguhot south west of Hevron

Entrance to Eshbol Arabs threw explosive fluid towards entrance- no injured

Hevron

Policemans square fire bomb several times during these days

IDF force attacked when Jews went to pray at Otniel Ben Kenaz' Grave which is located about 200 meters from Bet Hadassah in a Cave.  Otniel Ben Knaz was the first of the judges of Israel the younger brother of Cleb Ben Knaz.

Gush Etzion

Near Karmei Zur damage to car

Jerusalem –Hevron Highway

El Arub Arabs sprayed pepper gas on Israeli driver- not injured

Husan bypass near El Hadar

Abu Dis north east of Bethlehem improvised fire bomb thrown at Border policemen –no injured

Security fence pipe bomb at Abu Dis the bomb did not explode

Benjamin

Dir Nizam near Neve Zuf

Shomron

Arabs stole car at the entrance of Habal village.  The car was stolen when it stood at the entrance when the driver left the car and the father remained inside.  The Arabs delivered the father at the entrance of the Border Police Base near Kalkilia.  The stolen vehicle is a white Mazda.

2 at Betit Junction Hawara south of Shechem

IDF post between Shekef and Bet Awa

Near Itamar attempted destruction of infrastructure of community fire bomb thrown on power line

Gaza Attacks:

Near the security fence near Miflassim explosive device exploded that was placed there by terrorists.  No injured.  IDF neutralized and additional 2 explsove devices on the security fence between Israel and Gaza Strip.

Red Color Alert in Netiv ha'asara

Red Color alert Sderot

2 Mortars fired on IDF force on security fence of southern Gaza no injuries

Red Color alert in Zikim and Netiv Ha'asara  fallout inside of Arab Gaza and 1 rocket near security fence

2 alerts of rockets towards Netiv Ha'asara

6 rockets fired at Sderot and the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council and Eshkol.  One fall-out was located near Sderot damaging the road.  The rest fell on open fields near Sha'ar Hanegev and one near Nir Am

IAF responded by attacked terror targets in the southern and central Gaza Strip. The terrorists launched a RPG towards IDf forces on the Security Fence in the south of Gaza.

Hevron near the Cave of the Patriarchs Arab terrorist caught with knife on the way to a terror attack

Jerusalem

French Hill bus attacked by rocks the window was bashed and 1 of the passengers injured several others suffered trauma from the attack

Again dozens of Arab youths attempted to break through the checkpost at Sultan Suliman near the Police Station by the Temple Mount. 

20-4

Temple Mount 2 policemen injured lightly 16 young Arabs arrested suspected of disturbing the peace

During the night and morning 24 Arabs were arrested for disturbing the peace and the Mt was closed to visitors.

22.4

The memorial for Security Officer of the Shomron Gilad Zar HY"D was damaged .  The memorial was cleaned later.

24.4

Security Forces arrested in Yesha 4 wanted terrorists: 1 Shechem

1 North-east of Ramallah in Dir Abu Misshal, Jezalone, north of Ramallah -2

24.4

IDF Lavi Force arrested 2 wanted terrorists in their twenties who threw fire bombs on the tunnel highway


^

The NYTimes Does the Kerry Peace Process

Seems Saeb Erekat tried to work his "Natufian" magic on the Americans:-

Martin S. Indyk, trekked with a Palestinian leader to ancient ruins in Jericho

and explained:

“I meant to take Martin to ruins to show him nothing lasts and life goes on,” Mr. Erekat explained. “These were great empires — they’re gone. I know that the Israeli occupation will go. I know.”

But this may be relevant:

Mr. Erekat repeating certain mantras...“I don’t walk around with a neon sign saying ‘stupid’ on my head.”

In any case, whether or not Indyk was convinced that "Palestinians" predated Jews in this land, here is how the New York Times apportions blame for the failure of this latest round of peace negotiations:

The talks nonetheless collapsed two days later. Mr. Kerry has his share of the blame, at times leaving Israeli and Palestinian leaders with disparate understandings that would lead to later blowups and, toward the end, pushing beyond the White House’s comfort zone to create a new layer of internal negotiations that slowed events down.

But Mr. Netanyahu refused to risk alienating Israel’s right wing by restraining construction in West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements; about 13,000 new units moved forward during the talks. Mr. Abbas, looking for a dignified exit from the public stage and furious over the settlement building, never responded to the ideas Mr. Kerry’s team had formulated for a framework to guide further negotiations.

The correspondents did add this:

Tzipi Livni, acknowledged that continued settlement construction was a problem, but said the Palestinians knew it was coming. Twice in April, she pointed out, even as details of new deals were being completed, the Palestinians surprised Israel and Washingtonfirst by joining 15 international conventions to protest Israel’s failure to release a promised fourth batch of prisoners, and last week by reconciling with Hamas.

and further detailed this:

The Palestinians were outraged not only at the scale [of construction plans announced in early November], but that Israelis were suggesting they had agreed to trade construction for prisoners, when in fact the “price” was a pledge not to join international agencies and conventions for the duration of the talks.

Odd.

I am fairly sure that that was the exact trade-off: the Pals. get prisoners and we continue building. After all, "settlements" are not restricted in any of the Oslo Accords, being reserved for final-status issues.

Then, there's this:


President Obama offered the framework outlines [in March] — though no document was ever shared — and Mr. Abbas simply did not respond.
“He had shut down,” said one of several American officials interviewed. “As he comes to the end of his life and certainly the end of his term in office, he’s fed up.”

As for Kerry, he

...had allowed the Palestinians to believe Arab-Israeli citizens would be among those freed without securing such a commitment from Mr. Netanyahu. The Israelis said no one would be let go unless talks were extended.  Mr. Kerry dangled the prospect of freeing Jonathan J. Pollard, the American convicted of spying for Israel, despite White House reservations.


And now this:


Secretary of State John Kerry issued an unusual statement Monday evening expressing his support for Israel after a controversy erupted over a politically charged phrase he used in a private appearance [that] Israel risked becoming an “apartheid state,”...

In the statement that Mr. Kerry issued Monday, which bore the title “On Support for Israel,” he said that...he did not believe that Israel was an “apartheid state” or intended to become one. Mr. Kerry did not dispute he had used the phrase but said it had led to a “misimpression” about his views.

“If I could rewind the tape, I would have chosen a different word to describe my firm belief that the only way in the long term to have a Jewish state and two nations and two peoples living side by side in peace and security is through a two state solution,” he said.

“In the long term, a unitary, binational state cannot be the democratic Jewish state that Israel deserves or the prosperous state with full rights that the Palestinian people deserve,” he added.

J Street, a pro-peace Jewish organization, defended Mr. Kerry...But Aaron David Miller, a former American peace negotiator now at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, said that Mr. Kerry’s comment had drawn him into an “unproductive fight with a close ally.”

But he did cover his tuches:


While Justice Minister Livni, former Prime Ministers Barak and Ohlmert have all invoked the specter of apartheid to underscore the dangers of a unitary state for the future, it is a word best left out of the debate here at home.

P.S.  Here's today's Haaretz's editorial:

Apartheid in planning rights
Israel’s discriminatory planning policy in the West Bank violates its most basic obligations.
^

Monday, April 28, 2014

A Week Has Passed - How Many Arrested?

A week has passed since the attack on the young children visiting the Temple Mount last week.

How many Muslims were arrested?

Let's assist the police.  Here are some of them:




and some more:




Nu? How many?

Ask.

Ask the Minister of Internal Security.

Ask the National Commander.

Ask the Jerusalem District Commander.

Ask the Temple Mount Unit.

Ask the Prime Minister.

Ask any other Minister, especially the Justice Minister.

Ask Members of Knesset.

Ask the Chairwoman of the Knesset's Interior Committee.

Ask the Public Complaints Commissioner.

^

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Recommended Reading

"Palestine in Turmoil".

A


"comprehensive account examines the growing conflict between Arab and Jew in Palestine that first surfaced clearly in the pivotal years 1933-1939, and which proved to be an irreconcilable rift once the leadership of both peoples refused to accept minority status. A compelling narrative, lucidly written and rooted in extensive archival sources, explores the deadly clash of two rival nationalisms against the broader backdrop of rising antisemitism across Europe, the intervention of Arab states, and international realpolitik. The various suggestions then advanced for resolving the Palestine dilemma, as well as the internal divisions which beset the two rivals for political independence, are also reviewed..."


Friday, April 25, 2014

A Comment I Left at the NYTimes


Let's rewrite this "Let's go back to basics: The Palestinian people live under occupation and siege in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, as second-class citizens in present-day Israel, and as refugees, as a consequence of the Zionist colonization of historic Palestine that began more than a century ago and continues today."  as this:

Let's go back to basics: The Palestinian people actually never truly were a "people" in any sociological, historical or political accepted sense.  In fact, into the 1920s, they insisted they were but Southern Syrians (check the NYTimes report of March 14, 1920 - http://myrightword.blogspot.co.il/2012/08/they-demanded-palestine-not-be.html) and they  live under the regime of the Paleastinian Authority for the most part in an agreement they themselves signed and the only siege of the Gaza Strip is that of Egypt as Israel disengaged almost a decade ago and only protects itself from Hamas war crime attacks on civilians in pre-67 Israel.  I could go on but Abu-Nima is frothing already enough.

____________________________

And it's up.

^

SodaStream Drops Into Shiloh

At Shlomo's grocery in Shiloh;




and it seems it's cheaper here.

^

Thursday, April 24, 2014

What's the Soloveichik Family Tradition?

I found these two letters in the Jerusalem Post:

Family traditions

Sir, – With regard to “Jordan protests Israeli incursions into al-Aksa mosque” (April 22), Meir Soloveitchik, known to friends and family as “Solly,” is indeed a descendant of the Soloveitchik rabbinical dynasty, living in Manhattan, where he serves as rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel and is a popular public intellectual in Orthodox Jewish and conservative Republican circles.

There are many Soloveitchik descendants (from the American branch) living in Israel (myself included, but with no claim to renowned scholarship) who occupy different points on the religious and political spectrum, and, to the best of my knowledge, carry on a longstanding tradition of not seeking attention on the basis of family ties.

I would be delighted if Solly were to move to Israel with his family. But to come for Passover with members of his congregation, lecture on “Brisk and [Menachem] Begin” and top off his trip with a publicity-seeking visit to the Temple Mount is not at all in keeping with the family traditions he espouses.

NATHANIEL L. GERBER
Jerusalem

Sir, – The Temple Mount should be an oasis of beauty, tranquility and spirituality.

Instead it has become the scene of terrifying rioting by Arabs who defile their own holy places with violence. They have even played soccer in front of their supposedly holy mosque.

This is a sign that their problem with Jews stepping foot on the Temple Mount is purely political, not religious.

This mass rioting cannot be tolerated. The Israel Police must not allow these Arabs to desecrate what is holy to all monotheistic religions. No country in the world would allow such a desecration of its holy sights.

Until the Arabs learn to respect human rights – even for Jews – they themselves should not be allowed up there.

If the Wakf Islamic religious trust cannot control its own people, it must ask another power to step in. Let the Israeli government use its power of sovereignty – and moral indignation – to control the Temple Mount and ensure that all people have the right to worship there as they choose.

BATYA ZARETSKY
Jerusalem 

Ms. Zaretsky's letter is normative.

Mr. Gerber's is, well, otherwise.  Gerber, who, it appears, a commercial lawyer, of Silber, Schottenfels & Gerber on 29B Keren Hayesod Street in Jerusalem, is really upset that someone in his family tree, to his mind, is 'stealing' his family tradition, a tradition he defines as one which seems to be to dislike Menachem Begin, dislike publicity-seekers, dislike those who do not immigrate to Israel and, I presume, dislike entry into the Temple Mount, not to mention bringing 30+ families of his congregation to Israel for Pesach.

So, what we can comprehend from his rant is that:

Gerber knows better than Rabbi Solly what the Soloveichik family tradition is.  I hope he realizes that the Briskers were not that enamored with Zionism so we end up walking a very fine line here in that Gerber seems to have gone against the family tradition, even if the Rav JB was in Mizrachi.

^


One Statism of Mordechai Nisan

No, I have not yet read Caroline Glick's new book, The Israeli Solution: A One-State Plan for Peace in the Middle East.

But, as even Caroline can tell you, I'm an old "one-state" hand.

Starting from Jabotinsky and Betar, the Land of Israel Movement and Shmuel Katz and on to HaTechiya and more, I have no shortage of the opinion that:

-  all of the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea should be one polity;

- that Israel has all legal rights to that position;

- that Israel's future security requires the retention of those territories;

- that the demographic "threat" does not exist;

- that Israel will indeed be a democracy and a Jewish state.

- that a "state of Palestine" is the beginning of the end of Zionism and the state of Israel as they cannot coexist due to Arab/Muslim rejectionism and uncompromising hostility that has nothing to do with politics but of religion and culture.

There are many resources that shore up convincingly my approach and many have I published here at the blog over the past decade.

One book, recently published, that you should read, and its just less than 150 pages (Caroline's book is 350 or so), is that of my friend, Dr. Mordechai Nisan entitled "Only Israel West of the River". 




By the way, my copy of his 1977 "The Arab-Israeli Conflict, A Political Guide for the Perplexed" is also well-thumbed.

In short, the book treats "the national Jewish character of Israel, the danger of domestic Arab challenges, and the imperative of Israeli rule throughout the area west of the Jordan River". It also deals with demography and "arranging Jewish-Arab accommodation and political stability". Nisan proposes what he terms "the only reasonable political solution for a problem that is more than one hundred years old. The two-state solution, currently monopolizing political discourse, is a non-starter".

I agree.  In its seven chapters it presents facts, clarity of thought, a reasoned approach and no "messianism".  I do not like the term "settlements" that he employs, I'll admit.  "Communities" is my preferred word.

Read it.

^

Jabotinsky in UK Commons Debates & Question Time

The raw archival material of the mentions of Ze'ev Jabotinsky in various debates and parliamentary questions in the House of Common:

1.

HC Deb 27 April 1920 vol 128 cc1020-2 1020

§38 Sir WILLIAM WHITLA asked the Secretary of State for War and Air (1) whether the recent outbreaks of disorder in Jerusalem were preceded by anti-Jewish political demonstrations in that city; whether he has any information to the effect that such demonstrations were worked up by agents from Egypt;
(2) on how many days between the 1st and 10th April rioting took place at Jerusalem between Mohammedans and Jews; what was the total number of casualties in the two communities, respectively; whether any damage was done to religious edifices or private property; if so, has any estimate been made of the amount of the damage; will any compensation be paid; and, if so, by whom?
54. Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY asked the Prime Minister the nature and composition of the inquiry that is being held into the recent disturbances in Jerusalem; and whether it is being conducted in public?
§57. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALL asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the statement that Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky had been condemned in Jerusalem to 15 years' penal servitude; and, if so, whether, in view of Mr. Jabotinsky's services during the War, he will have inquiries made as to the circumstances which have caused such a sentence?
§3. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY asked the Under-Secretary for State for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky has been sentenced to 15 years' penal servitude; whether this is the gentleman who was largely instrumental in raising the 38th Royal Fusiliers, which fought in Palestine by the side of British regiments; on what charge was he tried; what was the composition of the court; whether any appeal will be allowed; and whether any Arabs or Christians have been tried in connection with the recent disturbances in Palestine?
§10. Mr. KILEY asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government sent instructions a few months ago to the British administration in Palestine that they were to regard the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine as an accomplished fact; whether M. Vladimir Jabotinski, who raised the first Jewish regiment to fight in the British Army in Palestine, was sentenced a few days ago by a British court-martial to 15 years' penal servitude according to the Ottoman penal code; and whether he will explain the reason for basing the sentence upon this code, in view of the Government's declared policy concerning Palestine?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I have been asked to reply. I shall be much obliged if all these questions are put down again for next Thursday, as the information necessary to enable me to make a statement is still incomplete in several important particulars, and I am awaiting a further telegraphic report from Lord Allen by on various points, including especially the case of Lieutenant Jabotinsky.
1022
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Mr. Jabotinsky is still in prison, and, if so, where?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I understand that he is confined in Jerusalem.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Have instructions been sent that he shall be properly treated in prison?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I have sent no instructions of that kind, but the British authorities are responsible for the proper treatment of prisoners.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Were the British officers responsible for the pogrom which took place?
§Sir W. WHITLA Is it not a fact that Mr. Jabotinsky is treated as a political prisoner?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I do not think that is so. I am in communication with Lord Allenby by telegram, and I wished the series of telegrams to be completed before I make a statement to the House.

2.

HC Deb 15 February 1922 vol 150 cc1012-3 1012
§76. Mr. RAPER asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, as stated in the Palestine Press, Messrs. 1013 Jabotinsky and David Yellin were implicated in the importation and smuggling of arms into Palestine through the port of Haifa?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I have no knowledge of the Press reports referred to in the question. I am awaiting a full report on the incident from the High Commissioner for Palestine.
§Mr. RAPER Has the right hon. Gentleman's Department received any report at all on this question?
§Mr. CHURCHILL No, Sir; not according to my information.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Is this the same Mr. Jabotinsky who took part in the raising of the Jewish Legion in the War?
§Mr. CHURCHILL It sounds very much like it.

3.

HC Deb 04 May 1920 vol 128 cc1877-9 1877
§29. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY asked the Secretary of State for War and 1878 Air whether he can now state whether the British military authorities received any warning of the possibility of anti-Jewish rioting in Jerusalem on the occasion of the Moslem pilgrimage on 4th April last; if so, what steps were taken to preserve order; and whether Mr. Jabotinsky will be allowed to appeal against his sentence of 15 years' penal servitude?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I am still awaiting the full reports of the recent occurrences in Jerusalem, but I take this opportunity of informing the House that as well as the reduction of sentence on Mr. Jabotinsky to one year's imprisonment without hard labour, the sentences on the 19 Jews of three years' penal servitude, have been reduced to six months' imprisonment without hard labour. The sentences of 15 years' penal servitude on the two Moslems convicted of rape and on the Jew convicted of unlawful wounding have been allowed to stand.
According to my latest information, the total numbers tried by Military Court in Jerusalem amounted to 31, composing 21 Jews, 9 Mohammedans, and I Christian, As well as the sentences already enumerated the following additional persons have been dealt with or are awaiting trial:
1 Moslem convicted. Charge and sentence not yet known.
6 Moslems charged with making speeches in public places calculated to arouse hostilities. One of these was found guilty, sentenced to two years' imprisonment and fined £20. Three were acquitted and two absconded from bail. One Christian found guilty of a similar offence was awarded two years' imprisonment and fined £20.
5 Jews are now being tried on a charge of being in possession of firearms.
The following are also awaiting trial:
1 Jew for attempted murder.
2 Jews for being in possession of fire-arms.
1 Moslem for, it is believed, unlawful wounding.
3 Moslems for assisting the escape of absconders.
1879
§Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY Can the right hon. Gentleman now say whether Lieutenant Jabotinsky will be allowed to appeal against this reduced sentence?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I cannot say, without notice.
Major LOWTHER: Was the sentence of fifteen years' penal servitude confirmed by Lord Allenby?
§Mr. CHURCHILL The sentence has been reduced by Lord Allenby.


4.

HC Deb 29 April 1920 vol 128 cc1397-402 1397
§23. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky has been sentenced to 15 years' penal servitude; whether this is the gentleman who was largely instrumental in raising the 38th Royal Fusiliers, which fought in Palestine by the side of British regiments; on what charge was he tried; what was the composition of the Court; whether any appeal will be allowed; and whether any Arabs or Christians have been tried in connection with the recent disturbances in Palestine?
§24. Mr. KILEY asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the Government sent instructions a few months ago to the British administration in Palestine that they were to regard. the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine as an accomplished fact; whether Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky, who raised the first Jewish regiment to fight in the British Army in Palestine, was sentenced a few days ago by a British court-martial to 15 years' penal servitude according to the Ottoman penal code; and whether he will explain the reason for basing the sentence upon this code, in view of the Government's declared policy concerning Palestine?
§37. Mr. SPOOR asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any information indicating a lack of sympathy on the part of the British military administration in Palestine with the Government's declared policy of establishing in that country a Jewish national home; and whether he can say when the military administration will be exchanged for a civil administration in order that 1398 practical steps may be taken without delay to carry out the Government's repeated promise?
38. Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY asked the Prime Minister the nature and composition of the inquiry that is being held into the recent disturbances in Jerusalem; and whether it is being conducted in public?
§61. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALL asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the statement that Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky had been condemned in Jerusalem to 15 years' penal servitude; and, if so, whether, in view of Mr. Jabotinsky's services during the War, he will have inquiries made as to the circumstances which have caused such a sentence?
§124 Sir WILLIAM WHITLA asked the Secretary of State for War and Air (1) whether the recent outbreaks of disorder in Jerusalem were preceded by anti-Jewish political demonstrations in that city; whether he has any information to the effect that such demonstrations were worked up by agents from Egypt;
(2) on how many days between the 1st and 10th April rioting took place at Jerusalem between Mahommedans and Jews; what was the total number of casualities in the two communities, respectively; whether any damage was done to religious edifices or private property; if so, has any estimate been made of the amount of the damage; will any compensation be paid; and, if so, by whom?
§128. Mr. ORMSBY-GORE asked the Secretary for War and Air whether the British military authorities in Palestine were warned beforehand by the Zionist Commission that anti-Jewish excesses were probable at the time of the Nebi. Moussa festival; why these warnings were disregarded by the chief military administrator; and whether the formation of a Jewish self-defence corps was amply justified under the circumstances?
§The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR and AIR (Mr. Churchill) I have been asked to answer. I am not yet in possession of full details of recent events in Jerusalem, but from abridged reports which have been received by the War Office it appears that disturbances commenced in 1399 Jerusalem on the 4th April, on the occasion of the annual Moslem pilgrimage to Nebi Musa, and quickly developed into anti-Jewish riots. As the native police proved unreliable they were removed, control of the city handed over to British troops, and martial law declared. Spasmodic anti-Jewish outbreaks occurred up till the 8th April, from which date the situation became normal. Disturbances appear to have been confined to Jerusalem, and did not extend to the country villages. I regret to say that about 250 casualties occurred, of which nine-tenths were Jewish.
§ I am not in a position to state what actual damage occurred in the city, but there were, undoubtedly, certain cases of arson. As the House will realise, these events took place among Eastern people, and feeling appears to have run high. On such an occasion, there is no doubt but that both Moslems and Jews represented to the British Administration that the other was at fault, but in this connection a military Court of Inquiry has been constituted to inquire into the causes which led up to the disturbances. This Court does not sit in public, but religious heads of all denominations have been invited to attend or to send representatives.
§ The chief offenders have been tried before a military Court, and heavy sentences imposed. Jabotinsky was sentenced to 15 years' penal servititude for the crimes of possessing firearms, instigation to disobedience by arming the populace, conspiracy and preparing means to carry out acts of riot, while 19 other Jews, convicted of being in possession of firearms, were each sentenced to three years' penal servitude. Two Moslems, convicted of the rape of two Jewish women, were each sentenced to 15 years' penal servitude, and seven other Moslems, arrested in possession of firearms, are awaiting trial. The above prisoners, including Jabotinsky, are now confined as second division prisoners at Acre. They are confined to prison, but will be excused all hard labour and prison fare.
§ With regard to the whole affair, including the above sentences, as I told the House on the 27th instant, I am in direct communication with Lord Allenby, and I regret I have not yet received his answer, and further questions by hon. Members which are not covered by this 1400 statement must remain unanswered until I am in full possession of the facts.
§Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question? Is this Jabotinsky the same gentleman who raised the Jewish Battalion, the 38th Royal Fusiliers?
§Mr. CHURCHILL Yes.
§Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY Will any appeal be allowed against this decision?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I have said that the whole matter is being considered, and that I am asking for further information.
Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY: Does the Government intend to send out a Commission of inquiry?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I think it is much more reasonable to await the full report of the Governor, Lord Allenby. When we know what were the full reasons which actuated the court-martial, and the full opinion of the responsible authorities we shall be able to form an opinion about it, but, of course, in the ultimate issue it must be His Majesty's Government that must bear the responsibility of taking the final decision in such a matter.
§Mr. SPOOR: Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to my question as to when the existing military administration will be replaced by civil administration?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I am afraid I cannot do that, but I hope it may be as early as possible.
§Commander Viscount CURZON Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Mr. Jabotinsky is a purely Jewish resident, of Jewish descent, in Jerusalem?
§Lord R. CECIL Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how soon the native police were replaced by British soldiers; whether rioting was allowed to go on for a day or two before any such replacement began or whether it was done immediately; and whether a precisely similar sentence to that passed on Mr. Jabotinsky has been passed upon Moslems for the rape of Jewish women?
§Mr. CHURCHILL In reply to the first part of the question, if it is suggested that the British authorities deliberately connived at a state of disorder amounting to a pogrom against the Jewish population, the suggestion is entirely 1401 without foundation. I cannot say exactly at what stage the native police were relieved, but I am quite certain they were relieved at the moment when the authorities on the spot thought that the state of disorder could be most speedily terminated by such action. So far as the comparison between the two sentences is concerned, I am awaiting telegraphic reports, which we have asked for, as it would be very improper for me, without any such information, to attempt to draw conclusions from the apparent anomalous discrepancies which may appear in these cases.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD: Is it not a fact that this Committee of inquiry is to inquire into the question of the preparations against this pogrom that might have been made in consequence of warnings given to the administration, and whether, if that is so, it is not unusual to appoint on the Committee the very people whose conduct is being inquired into?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I do not think that is so; the officers appointed—General Palin (President), Brigadier - General Wildblood, and a Colonel from the 3rd Division—I speak from the information I have at the moment—are not the officers concerned.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Do they not belong to the same trade union?
§Lord R. CECIL Will the right hon. Gentleman further inquire whether or not, as alleged, any warning was given to the British authorities that a riot of this kind was in preparation, and whether they took the steps they did take in consequence of that information?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I certainly will make further inquiries. The matter does require full inquiry; but I am very much predisposed to the belief that our officers on the spot did their best under the circumstances. Further review of the whole circumstances by the Government may result in additional remedial measures being taken.
27. Lieut.-Colonel MALONE asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the satisfaction with which the Balfour declaration concerning the status of Palestine (which has been confirmed by France, Italy, America, and other Allied Powers) was received by the oppressed and persecuted Jewish peoples in Poland 1402 and other parts of the globe; and whether he will press for an early decision of the Palestine question by the Supreme Council?
§Mr. BONAR LAW I cannot add anything to the answer given on the 27th instant to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Bedwelty.


5.

HC Deb 27 April 1920 vol 128 cc1020-2 1020
§38 Sir WILLIAM WHITLA asked the Secretary of State for War and Air (1) whether the recent outbreaks of disorder in Jerusalem were preceded by anti-Jewish political demonstrations in that city; whether he has any information to the effect that such demonstrations were worked up by agents from Egypt;
(2) on how many days between the 1st and 10th April rioting took place at Jerusalem between Mohammedans and Jews; what was the total number of casualties in the two communities, respectively; whether any damage was done to religious edifices or private property; if so, has any estimate been made of the amount of the damage; will any compensation be paid; and, if so, by whom?
54. Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY asked the Prime Minister the nature and composition of the inquiry that is being held into the recent disturbances in Jerusalem; and whether it is being conducted in public?
§57. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALL asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the statement that Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky had been condemned in Jerusalem to 15 years' penal servitude; and, if so, whether, in view of Mr. Jabotinsky's services during the War, he will have inquiries made as to the circumstances which have caused such a sentence?
§3. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY asked the Under-Secretary for State for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky has been sentenced to 15 years' penal servitude; whether this is the gentleman who was largely instrumental in raising the 38th Royal Fusiliers, which fought in Palestine by the side of British regiments; on what charge was he tried; what was the composition of the court; whether any appeal will be allowed; and whether any Arabs or Christians have been tried in connection with the recent disturbances in Palestine?
§10. Mr. KILEY asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government sent instructions a few months ago to the British administration in Palestine that they were to regard the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine as an accomplished fact; whether M. Vladimir Jabotinski, who raised the first Jewish regiment to fight in the British Army in Palestine, was sentenced a few days ago by a British court-martial to 15 years' penal servitude according to the Ottoman penal code; and whether he will explain the reason for basing the sentence upon this code, in view of the Government's declared policy concerning Palestine?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I have been asked to reply. I shall be much obliged if all these questions are put down again for next Thursday, as the information necessary to enable me to make a statement is still incomplete in several important particulars, and I am awaiting a further telegraphic report from Lord Allen by on various points, including especially the case of Lieutenant Jabotinsky.
1022
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Mr. Jabotinsky is still in prison, and, if so, where?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I understand that he is confined in Jerusalem.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Have instructions been sent that he shall be properly treated in prison?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I have sent no instructions of that kind, but the British authorities are responsible for the proper treatment of prisoners.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Were the British officers responsible for the pogrom which took place?
§Sir W. WHITLA Is it not a fact that Mr. Jabotinsky is treated as a political prisoner?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I do not think that is so. I am in communication with Lord Allenby by telegram, and I wished the series of telegrams to be completed before I make a statement to the House.

6.

HC Deb 26 March 1930 vol 237 cc404-5 404
§23. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now state the circumstances under which Mr. Jabotinsky was convicted by a military court in 1920 to 15 years' penal servitude; whether he is aware that this was almost immediately afterwards reduced to one 405 year's imprisonment in the second division, and that Mr. Jabotinsky was amnestied and released, but subsequently appealed against the original sentence, as a result of which the proceedings of the military court were quashed with the exception of the finding that Mr. Jabotinsky had been guilty of being in possession of a revolver without a licence; and whether Mr. Jabotinsky entered into any undertaking never to return to Palestine?
§Dr. SHIELS The events referred to took place before the Colonial Office had any connection with Palestine; but I have ascertained that the facts are substantially as stated in the second part of the question. As regards the last part, I am not aware that Mr. Jabotinsky ever entered into the undertaking referred to.
§Sir A. POWNALL Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the services rendered by Mr. Jabotinsky during the War, especially in regard to the formation of a Jewish battalion?
§Colonel HOWARD-BURY Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Jabotinsky went to Palestine and made a very violent incendiary speech—
§Mr. SPEAKER The hon. and gallant Gentleman is always giving information instead of asking questions.
§Captain E. N. BENNETT Is it not a fact that a person deported from Palestine or any other country is ipso facto debarred from returning as and when he likes?
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Was he deported?
§Mr. ORMSBY-GORE Is it not a fact that the sentence was quashed and never ought to have been passed, and the hon. Member's suggestion is, therefore, without foundation?

7.

HC Deb 16 September 1931 vol 256 cc816-7 816
§11. Colonel WEDGWOOD asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Lieutenant Jabotinsky may now be allowed hack in Palestine?
Mr. THOMAS After considering this matter further in consultation with the acting High Commissioner, I am satisfied that the circumstances are not such as would justify any modification, at the present juncture, of the attitude adopted by the late Secretary of State.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lieutenant Jabotinsky fought for us in the War and was decorated, and that he has been excluded from Palestine solely because of the Arab massacres?
Mr. THOMAS The question as to what should be the attitude to those who fought in the War will have to be considered in relationship to their present 817 attitude. I am sure that the late Secretary of State, who is always anxious to preserve what is called freedom of speech, arrived at this decision in the best interests of Palestine and in the best interests of everybody.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD May I ask whether the previous Secretary of State, who knew Jabotinsky well, did not have quite a different opinion of him?
Mr. THOMAS I do not know the opinion of the previous Secretary of State, but the late Secretary of State, Lord Passfield, considered the whole situation before coming to a decision. I see no reason to alter his decision.
§Colonel HOWARD-BURY Is not this gentleman a firebrand; and would it not be unwise to allow him to enter Palestine in the present state of affairs in that country?

History as it was being made.

^

Reconciliation on the Temple Mount

Excerpts from Israel Harel's column, on the Temple Mount:


If Israel would dare to grant Jews equal rights at the Temple Mount, then, after time, it will become the new norm.

.... it quickly became clear that the government of the Jewish nation didn’t want to embrace the historic, unparalleled gift that the paratroopers had bestowed upon it [in June 1967].  In their iniquity, successive Israeli governments, the Chief Rabbinate and all those others responsible for blocking a Jewish presence on the Temple Mount have led to the Jewish people’s loss of sovereignty over the site. Those that succeed in ascending feel like unwanted strangers at the Jewish people’s holiest place...
In 1967, officials of the State of Israel, including its clergy, were struck with a spiritual blindness. They didn’t understand the enormous national significance of returning to the Temple Mount, just as they only partially understood the significance of the liberation of Judea and Samaria...
...The recent Arab rioting on the Temple Mount − just another link in the chain of innumerable previous disturbances − is the rotten fruit of the refusal to assert Israeli sovereignty, due to a congenital Jewish fear that “it will set the entire region aflame.” ...
...An amazing convergence of powers prevents this wrong from being righted − Israeli governments, the Waqf, the rabbinical establishment (including the religious-Zionist rabbinical establishment), the United Nations, the Arab League and, of course, human rights groups. The latter fight ferociously for Arab freedom of worship anywhere, but object with equal vehemence to the right of Jews to pray at their holiest site, and the Supreme Court of the Jewish state supports them, automatically rejecting with the same responses petition after petition in which Jews seek the right to freely worship there.
So long as the Arabs feel that this government coalition is essentially backing them on this, the Temple Mount will continue to erupt and the destructive lava will continue to flow. But if the state would dare to declare equal rights for Jews there, if only the right to pray, and enforce that right with all the means at its disposal, then a new status quo will emerge. It will be tense at first, but over time, perhaps a long time, it will become the new norm. And eventually, the frequent intermingling may well create a dynamic of closeness.Anyone who opposes this opposes an historic reconciliation between Jews and Arabs in the Land of Israel and the possibility of fostering true peace.

 ^