In recent interviews with officials of the American Consulate-General here in Jerusalem, the new head of the EU's Middle East team who visited as well as a very pro-Palestine British MP, I have been asked about what we revenants (see a comment on my use of this term and I published an article: "Revenant is relevant" in the Jerusalem Post on September 29, 2002. pg. 06) feel regarding the future and more specifically, how I view the new security barrier which places Shiloh on the "other side".
I tell them that I call my feeling the King Kong Syndrome. We are the sacrifice positioned on the other side of the wall to gratify the Beast.
If you can't remember or fail to understand my point, here's an excerpt from the synopsis of the film:-
The main island has a long sandy peninsula…the rest of the island's shoreline has sheer, steep precipices, hundreds of feet high. A wall cuts off the base of the peninsula from the rest of the island. Denham explains that there's an ancient, monstrous wonder "that no white man has ever seen" on the mysterious island:
Denham: A wall...built so long ago that the people who live there have slipped back, forgotten the higher civilization that built it. That wall is as strong today as it was centuries ago. The natives keep that wall in repair. They need it.
Driscoll: Why?
Denham: There's something on the other side of it, something they fear.
Captain: A hostile tribe.
Denham: Did you ever hear of...Kong?
Captain: Why, yes. Some native superstition isn't it? A god or a spirit or something?
Denham: Well anyway, neither Beast nor man. Something monstrous. All powerful. Still living. Still holding that island in a grip of deadly fear. Well, every legend has a basis of truth. I tell you, there's something on that island that no white man has ever seen..
In a frenzy of excitement, the natives have prepared Ann as the new sacrificial bride. The witch doctors open the tall gate in the enormous wall and drag her to the top of a high stone altar at the edge of the jungle. Her wrists are spread and bound to two great pillars or altar stakes (each decorated with a human skull) as a sacrificial gift - the "bride of Kong." After the witch doctors hurry back, the gates are closed and re-sealed with a huge wooden bolt. All the natives then climb to the top of the wall or gate where they gather to watch, torches lighting the sky. The chief halts the dancing, raises his staff, offers prayers, and then two half-naked assistants strike a giant brass gong above the gates to signal Kong. Left invitingly open to attack, Ann sobs helplessly on the altar.
Just then, a lookout up on the gate next to the giant gong cries out: "Hey, look out. It's Kong. Kong's coming!" Ann screams again. They try to keep the huge gate closed, bolted and blocked - the gate that has kept Kong trapped inside the island for so long. At the sound of the gong, the natives swarm from their huts and join them to hold the gate against the giant ape. Kong pounds repeatedly on it, and pushes with his entire weight thrown against the door. As last, he breaks it down, and the doors swing open to reveal the awesome brute. An enraged Kong attacks the village searching for his blond beauty. He hurls an entire hut at the fleeing natives and crushes everything in his path. Kong then smashes the platform with three swift punches from his fist.
And if that isn't enough to get your imagination going, try the trailer of the new Jackson film here.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Who Said This? (1)
Who said this?
Was it former Techiya MK, Rafael Eitan?
Was it former Moledet Minister Rechavam Ze'evi?
Was it Professor Israel Eldad?
Nope.
No Israeli rightwingers. No Israeli nationalists? No Israeli religious messianists.
It was an Arab from Gaza named Mohamed Ahmed Zowab.
It was reported here. In the section "Plugging Holes".
Oh well.
The Palestinian Authority are dogs
Was it former Techiya MK, Rafael Eitan?
Was it former Moledet Minister Rechavam Ze'evi?
Was it Professor Israel Eldad?
Nope.
No Israeli rightwingers. No Israeli nationalists? No Israeli religious messianists.
It was an Arab from Gaza named Mohamed Ahmed Zowab.
It was reported here. In the section "Plugging Holes".
Oh well.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Unprofessorial Behavior
Mark Danner, professor of journalism and politics at the University of California at Berkeley and Bard College and the author, most recently, of "Torture and Truth: America, Abu Ghraib and the War on Terror" published a long article on terrorism in the NYTimes Sunday Magazine.
He couldn't avoid mentioning the Irgun and Menachem Begin and this is what he wrote:-
So, Danner presumed to parallel jihadi terrorism to the urban guerrilla campaign waged by the Irgun led by Menachem Begin against the British rule in mandate Palestine by singling out the 1946 bombing of the King David Hotel, emphasizing that 91 people were killed, "most of them civilians".
There is no comparison, neither in strategy, in tactics nor rationale.
The operation was initiated and approved by the heads of the Hagana within the framework of the United Resistance Movement, the British having decided to continue a policy of prohibition of immigration and prevention of the establishment of the Jewish National Home. The hotel was chosen as a target because its south wing had been sealed off since 1939 for the exclusive use of the secretariat of the mandatory government and the military headquarters of the British armed forces in the country. The civilians who died in the explosion were mainly the employees of the mandatory administration.
More important, however, is the fact that the Irgun never intended that anyone should die unlike today's jihadis who engage in terrorism that specifically seeks to kill primarily civilians. Telephone calls were made to the British in the hotel, as well as other actions, to warn them to evacuate and the unit commander delayed the explosion by a half hour to facilitate this.
In addition, the jihadis are out to destroy a "civilization", a "culture". Begin and the Irgun had nothing against the British as such, only their White Paper diplomacy.
And Danner didn't know all this or didn't care to know or...?
He couldn't avoid mentioning the Irgun and Menachem Begin and this is what he wrote:-
The jihadis used terrorism to create a spectacle that would remove this certainty. They were by no means the first guerrilla group to adopt such a strategy. "History and our observation persuaded us," recalled Menachem Begin, the future Israeli prime minister who used terror with great success to drive the British out of Palestine during the mid-1940's, "that if we could succeed in destroying the government's prestige in Eretz Israel, the removal of its rule would follow automatically. Thenceforward, we gave no peace to this weak spot. Throughout all the years of our uprising, we hit at the British government's prestige, deliberately, tirelessly, unceasingly." In its most spectacular act, in July 1946, the Irgun guerrilla forces led by Begin bombed the King David Hotel, killing 91 people, most of them civilians.
So, Danner presumed to parallel jihadi terrorism to the urban guerrilla campaign waged by the Irgun led by Menachem Begin against the British rule in mandate Palestine by singling out the 1946 bombing of the King David Hotel, emphasizing that 91 people were killed, "most of them civilians".
There is no comparison, neither in strategy, in tactics nor rationale.
The operation was initiated and approved by the heads of the Hagana within the framework of the United Resistance Movement, the British having decided to continue a policy of prohibition of immigration and prevention of the establishment of the Jewish National Home. The hotel was chosen as a target because its south wing had been sealed off since 1939 for the exclusive use of the secretariat of the mandatory government and the military headquarters of the British armed forces in the country. The civilians who died in the explosion were mainly the employees of the mandatory administration.
More important, however, is the fact that the Irgun never intended that anyone should die unlike today's jihadis who engage in terrorism that specifically seeks to kill primarily civilians. Telephone calls were made to the British in the hotel, as well as other actions, to warn them to evacuate and the unit commander delayed the explosion by a half hour to facilitate this.
In addition, the jihadis are out to destroy a "civilization", a "culture". Begin and the Irgun had nothing against the British as such, only their White Paper diplomacy.
And Danner didn't know all this or didn't care to know or...?
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Dems Fightin' Words (or are they?)
This is being reported:
Israel threatened Saturday to deliver an unprecedentedly harsh response to any attacks from Gaza after Israeli troops quit the territory next week and hand it over to the Palestinians.
Well, some people might consider those as fighting words or are they but words of bluster?
One of the main selling points of disengagement was that handing over title of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority would then permit Israel to use its military might as it had not done previously.
This is BS.
It didn't use its might because it feared world opinion and will not do so because of same. The same people who were afraid then are the same people with the same fears now.
Already someone has said that only if terror exacts blood will Israel respond and then, only in proportion to the blood shed.
This is the pale face of Israel security.
Israel threatened Saturday to deliver an unprecedentedly harsh response to any attacks from Gaza after Israeli troops quit the territory next week and hand it over to the Palestinians.
'An hour after we leave the field, there will be a strategic change ... in the nature of our response to even an attempt at terror,' Maj. Gen. Yisrael Ziv, the military's chief of operations, told Israel Radio. 'We shall have a far more extreme reaction to any attempt.'
Well, some people might consider those as fighting words or are they but words of bluster?
One of the main selling points of disengagement was that handing over title of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority would then permit Israel to use its military might as it had not done previously.
This is BS.
It didn't use its might because it feared world opinion and will not do so because of same. The same people who were afraid then are the same people with the same fears now.
Already someone has said that only if terror exacts blood will Israel respond and then, only in proportion to the blood shed.
This is the pale face of Israel security.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Maybe There's Another Reason?
The New York Times carries a report that an Arab was killed in the Gaza Strip by Israeli soldiers, the second this week, near an "evacuated Jewish settlement".
If the claim has been touted that the Jewish communities in the disputed territories are the cause for Arab terror, why, then, do Arabs continue to challenge emptied out and bulldozed former Jewish neighborhoods?
After 38 years, cannot another few days be worth the wait or is there, perhaps, another reason for Arab hostility, one that even predated the so-called 'occupation' and may exist after Israel's disengagement?
If the claim has been touted that the Jewish communities in the disputed territories are the cause for Arab terror, why, then, do Arabs continue to challenge emptied out and bulldozed former Jewish neighborhoods?
After 38 years, cannot another few days be worth the wait or is there, perhaps, another reason for Arab hostility, one that even predated the so-called 'occupation' and may exist after Israel's disengagement?
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
It's To Protect the PA
One of my good friends, A., sent me the Jerusalem Post story on how the government of Israel is fairly determined to raze the Gush Katif synagogues.
And he wrote, inter alia, this:
...Besides the 'Halachic' reasonings against destroying your own Synagogues, when they first started talking about what to do w/the Shuls we thought the same as those who felt it would set a terrible JEWISH SANCTIONED precedent for any situation in the Diaspora when & if condemnation of Shull property would come up for rezoning or otherwise. This is certainly a MAJOR reason for NOT doing what this damn irresponsible gov is going to do!
But another serious thought/reason that came to our minds (the believers that good things can always be hoped for & since the Jewish State was established our history in OUR LAND is nothing more than a minute window in our past & future history) is the "politically correct" consideration that if they destroy our Synagogues when they take over & build as they ALWAYS do their mosques, when we take OUR LAND back & take over again we can destroy their mosques & build OUR Shuls again. The other way around makes it "politically incorrect" to destroy their mosques to rebuild OUR Shuls.
He really has us in a fix. He's bent on finishing his crazy act quicker than ASAP bcs he knows now there is a better chance than ever he'll be thrown out. Can you understand him? WHY!?! -- He did/is doing all this?!? - (Again & again, noone ever showed us any reasons that were reasonable - So if you know of any that you consider to be even fairly logical please relay them to us.
Gee, and here I thought that Sharon wanted to protect the PA from what Israel did to Jordan in the few post-1967 years when we lambasted them over the destruction of 30-odd synagogues in the Old City and the desecration of the Mt of Olives cemetery.
They could be seen as the lowest of lows, uncultured, primitive, truly irreligious. Now, would that be nice to do to his friends?
And he wrote, inter alia, this:
...Besides the 'Halachic' reasonings against destroying your own Synagogues, when they first started talking about what to do w/the Shuls we thought the same as those who felt it would set a terrible JEWISH SANCTIONED precedent for any situation in the Diaspora when & if condemnation of Shull property would come up for rezoning or otherwise. This is certainly a MAJOR reason for NOT doing what this damn irresponsible gov is going to do!
But another serious thought/reason that came to our minds (the believers that good things can always be hoped for & since the Jewish State was established our history in OUR LAND is nothing more than a minute window in our past & future history) is the "politically correct" consideration that if they destroy our Synagogues when they take over & build as they ALWAYS do their mosques, when we take OUR LAND back & take over again we can destroy their mosques & build OUR Shuls again. The other way around makes it "politically incorrect" to destroy their mosques to rebuild OUR Shuls.
He really has us in a fix. He's bent on finishing his crazy act quicker than ASAP bcs he knows now there is a better chance than ever he'll be thrown out. Can you understand him? WHY!?! -- He did/is doing all this?!? - (Again & again, noone ever showed us any reasons that were reasonable - So if you know of any that you consider to be even fairly logical please relay them to us.
Gee, and here I thought that Sharon wanted to protect the PA from what Israel did to Jordan in the few post-1967 years when we lambasted them over the destruction of 30-odd synagogues in the Old City and the desecration of the Mt of Olives cemetery.
They could be seen as the lowest of lows, uncultured, primitive, truly irreligious. Now, would that be nice to do to his friends?
Ever Heard of the Qaysi-Yamani Feuds, Ms. Hanan?
Back in 1982, Menachem Begin was sharply criticised for making a remark that "goyim kill goyim and they blame the Jews" three days after the Sabra and Chatilla incident in a cabinet meeting (here's one source and here's a second source but this site claim it was in the Knesset. I remember it well, so I trust all of them including Eric Silver who included it in his biography, which I did research for (and that's another story) on Begin at p. 236.
That came to my mind when I read the following excerpt from an article published in the Washington Post and distributed by AP concerning the ferocious Muslim attack on Christian villagers north of Ramallah, an area I know well.
Our well-know Christian Arab apologist, Hanan Ashrawi, had this to say:-
She is such a Jew-hater in addition to lying about the history of "Palestine" which was rampant with extreme violence including inter-tribal warfare between the northern tribal families and the southern ones, the Qaysi-Yamani divisions in nineteenth-century Palestine, as described in the first volume of Yehoshuah Porath's book "The emergence of the Palestinian-Arab national movement, 1919-1929", London: Frank Cass, 1973.
The bottom line? Blame Israel for all your troubles.
That came to my mind when I read the following excerpt from an article published in the Washington Post and distributed by AP concerning the ferocious Muslim attack on Christian villagers north of Ramallah, an area I know well.
Our well-know Christian Arab apologist, Hanan Ashrawi, had this to say:-
Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi said Palestinians have increasingly resorted to tribal law for justice after more than four years of conflict with Israel.
The acts of violence and counter-violence in family feuds happen in part because there is no authority that Palestinians can rely on, she said.
"This is a very serious development," Ashrawi said. "We are witnessing some sort of regression in social norms. Palestine has always been famous for its tolerance, pluralism, amicable relations, lack of discrimination and sectarianism. It is quite alarming that such incidents should take place."
She is such a Jew-hater in addition to lying about the history of "Palestine" which was rampant with extreme violence including inter-tribal warfare between the northern tribal families and the southern ones, the Qaysi-Yamani divisions in nineteenth-century Palestine, as described in the first volume of Yehoshuah Porath's book "The emergence of the Palestinian-Arab national movement, 1919-1929", London: Frank Cass, 1973.
The bottom line? Blame Israel for all your troubles.
Monday, September 05, 2005
A Need for Definitions
I sent off to William Safire the following post:-
Did you ever do a column on Sharon's "disengagement"?
Were the Jews from Gush Katif -
disengaged?
displaced?
expelled?
exiled?
Are they -
refugees?
internally displaced persons?
Did you ever do a column on Sharon's "disengagement"?
Were the Jews from Gush Katif -
disengaged?
displaced?
expelled?
exiled?
Are they -
refugees?
internally displaced persons?
A Very Good Characterization
George Galloway, in an interview in the London Sunday Times Magazine, is quoted as saying:
That's a very good line, actually.
And one easily can substitute 'Knesset' for 'House of Commons', too.
In the House of Commons these days, he said, he often encountered shivers fruitlessly searching for "spines to run up".
That's a very good line, actually.
And one easily can substitute 'Knesset' for 'House of Commons', too.
"Plucked"?
The Washington Post published this personal opinion piece by Hanna Sender.
Entitled "Now We Must Rebuild Our Lives in Israel", the section editor, I presume, preceded it with the heading "Plucked From Gaza", words that are misleading.
Ariel Sharon, Israel's Prime Minister of the Likud, ran on a platform in the 2003 elections diametrically opposed to his rival Labor party candidate's policy of but a partial disengagement from Gaza, one that did not include four other communities in northern Samaria. He violated his pledge to abide by an internal Likud party plebiscite which he lost. He fired two ministers prior to a crucial cabinet meeting, thus assuring a majority by denying them the democratic responsibility entrusted them - to represent their voters.
He then approved not granting the traditional fourth year of service of the commander-in-chief of Israel's army who publicly asserted that disengagement would provide a "tailwind to terror". The head of the General Security Service, parallel to the FBI, who had disagreements about the wisdom of the policy, was replaced. With hundreds of thousands demonstrating in the streets, he refused a suggestion that a referendum be conducted. The State Prosecutor's office lent itself to a dangerous chilling of legitimate opposition. In addition, the woeful unpreparedness of the state agency to provide adequate alternatives for these internally displaced citizens is another blemish.
Hanna Sender and her neighbors were not "plucked". They were expelled and their rights, as Jews, to live in the Jewish national homeland, were trampled.
Could we conceive Arabs being displaced so?
Entitled "Now We Must Rebuild Our Lives in Israel", the section editor, I presume, preceded it with the heading "Plucked From Gaza", words that are misleading.
Ariel Sharon, Israel's Prime Minister of the Likud, ran on a platform in the 2003 elections diametrically opposed to his rival Labor party candidate's policy of but a partial disengagement from Gaza, one that did not include four other communities in northern Samaria. He violated his pledge to abide by an internal Likud party plebiscite which he lost. He fired two ministers prior to a crucial cabinet meeting, thus assuring a majority by denying them the democratic responsibility entrusted them - to represent their voters.
He then approved not granting the traditional fourth year of service of the commander-in-chief of Israel's army who publicly asserted that disengagement would provide a "tailwind to terror". The head of the General Security Service, parallel to the FBI, who had disagreements about the wisdom of the policy, was replaced. With hundreds of thousands demonstrating in the streets, he refused a suggestion that a referendum be conducted. The State Prosecutor's office lent itself to a dangerous chilling of legitimate opposition. In addition, the woeful unpreparedness of the state agency to provide adequate alternatives for these internally displaced citizens is another blemish.
Hanna Sender and her neighbors were not "plucked". They were expelled and their rights, as Jews, to live in the Jewish national homeland, were trampled.
Could we conceive Arabs being displaced so?
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Anyone? Anything?
This appeared in Saturday's New York Times:
Has anyone heard or read about arrests, chages, court cases, media headlines about subversion - anything at all similar to the propaganda campaign waged by government and private sources against those who demonstrated against disengagement?
Anyone? Anything?
On Friday, as on most every Friday now, a demonstration of Palestinian, Israeli and foreign protesters against the building of the barrier near Bilin, a West Bank village, produced arrests and injuries. The Israeli Army has declared the area a closed military zone to try to stop the protests, but they continue.
One soldier was injured lightly after he was assaulted by an Israeli demonstrator, the army said.
Has anyone heard or read about arrests, chages, court cases, media headlines about subversion - anything at all similar to the propaganda campaign waged by government and private sources against those who demonstrated against disengagement?
Anyone? Anything?
Friday, September 02, 2005
Please, No Holocaust Comparisons
[This has been composed tongue-in-cheek but is as real as it gets]
I have been given to understand that if anybody compares the following conditions in the
story about New Orleans with what happened during the Holocaust, whether in the ghettos or the concentration camps, the Israel liberal/progressive elite will bring suit to prevent and/or punish such tattletalers. They will not allow parallels of any sort to be drawn, whether in Gush Katif or New Orleans.
And here are some excerpts:-
I have been given to understand that if anybody compares the following conditions in the
story about New Orleans with what happened during the Holocaust, whether in the ghettos or the concentration camps, the Israel liberal/progressive elite will bring suit to prevent and/or punish such tattletalers. They will not allow parallels of any sort to be drawn, whether in Gush Katif or New Orleans.
And here are some excerpts:-
"We have been trying to call the mayor's office, we have been trying to call the governor's office ... we have tried to use any inside pressure we can. We are turning to you. Please help us," said Dr. Norman McSwain, chief of trauma surgery at Charity Hospital, the largest of two public hospitals.
He described horrific conditions.
"There is no food in Charity Hospital. They're eating fruit bowl punch and that's all they've got to eat. There's minimal water," McSwain said.
"Most of their power is out. Much of the hospital is dark. The ICU (intensive care unit) is on the 12th floor, so the physicians and nurses are having to walk up floors to see the patients."
Dr. Lee Hamm, chairman of medicine at Tulane University, said he took a canoe from there to the two public hospitals, where he also works, to check conditions.
"The physicians and nurses are doing an incredible job, but there are patients laying on stretchers on the floor, the halls were dark, the stairwells are dark. Of course, there's no elevators. There's no communication with the outside world," he said.
Knox Andress, an emergency nurse who is regional coordinator for a federal emergency preparedness grant covering the state, said it's impossible to underestimate the critical role hospitals are playing for anyone left in the city.
"They're running out of their medications, they're running out of money. They're having social issues and where do they go? They go to the hospital. The hospital is the backbone of the community because the lights are always on," he said.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
New Joke Going Around
Israel Authorities Overwhelmed
In an effort to overcome the continuing criticism that he is unsupportive and often dismissive of Israel, President Georg W. Bush announced today that he is converting to Judaism in the hope that this act will demonstrate his affinity and empathy with the Israeli people.
Authorities in Jerusalem have been unable to handle the thousands who have applied to perform the Brit Milah.
In an effort to overcome the continuing criticism that he is unsupportive and often dismissive of Israel, President Georg W. Bush announced today that he is converting to Judaism in the hope that this act will demonstrate his affinity and empathy with the Israeli people.
Authorities in Jerusalem have been unable to handle the thousands who have applied to perform the Brit Milah.
And That's Another Reason
The New York Times is supporting Ariel Sharon.
That's it. That's the last straw.
If the NYT is supporting him, that's one of the best reasons to desire his removal from office as fast as possible.
If the United States tried to impeach a president for fooling around with a young female, Sharon's fooling around with an ancient homeland is more than a very good reason, not to mention the country's security, its diplomatic standing and its ability to remain the Jewish national home.
...in the current reality of the Middle East, Mr. Sharon has just boldly gone where Mr. Netanyahu fears to tread. Mr. Sharon's withdrawal of Israeli settlers from Gaza, completed last week, was a historic shift that should be acknowledged and extended.
Now that Mr. Sharon has demonstrated that he is able to carry out a territorial compromise, a necessity if there will ever be any chance for peace, he needs to extend the principle from Gaza to the crucially important West Bank. Members of the Likud Party would be foolish and shortsighted to punish him for the Gaza withdrawal and thus reduce the chances of any further progress toward peace. If they do, they may well deprive their party of any chance of leading Israel to the peace and security that it wants and deserves.
That's it. That's the last straw.
If the NYT is supporting him, that's one of the best reasons to desire his removal from office as fast as possible.
If the United States tried to impeach a president for fooling around with a young female, Sharon's fooling around with an ancient homeland is more than a very good reason, not to mention the country's security, its diplomatic standing and its ability to remain the Jewish national home.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Katrina and Katif
As reported, a resident of Louisiana who chose to stay at home rather than evacuate in the face of advancing Hurricane Katrina believed her country is being dealt with by God because of the major role it played in the expulsion of Jews from their homes in Gaza and northern Samaria.
Bridgett Magee said that she saw the giant hurricane “as a direct ‘coming back on us’ [for] what we did to Israel: a home for a home.”
Magee sees the coming catastrophe as something the God of Israel will allow in judgment upon the United States for its central role in the expulsion of 10000 Jews from their homes in the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria.
Those expulsions, which began two weeks ago Sunday and went on for six days, saw 10,000 Jewish men, women and children forced to leave their homes, all of which, together with gardens, schools, shops and synagogues – 25 entire towns – are currently being bulldozed into rubble.
Bridgett Magee said that she saw the giant hurricane “as a direct ‘coming back on us’ [for] what we did to Israel: a home for a home.”
Magee sees the coming catastrophe as something the God of Israel will allow in judgment upon the United States for its central role in the expulsion of 10000 Jews from their homes in the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria.
Those expulsions, which began two weeks ago Sunday and went on for six days, saw 10,000 Jewish men, women and children forced to leave their homes, all of which, together with gardens, schools, shops and synagogues – 25 entire towns – are currently being bulldozed into rubble.
Ancient Names; Modern Parlance
Greg Myre quotes, in today's New York Times, Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as saying "not all the settlements of today in Judea and Samaria will remain" but adds that Sharon was "referring to the West Bank by its biblical name".
While Judea and Samaria appear extensively in the Bible as well as the New Testament (Acts 8:1, for example), they were terms used by the British during their Mandate period 1920-1948 and by the United Nations in its Partition Resolution 181 (Part II, Para. A).
There need be no antipathy to using names that originated in antiquity. In truth, the term 'West Bank' is that which is a recent semantic creation, intended to obliterate the Jewishness of the territory promised to become the Jewish national home.
While Judea and Samaria appear extensively in the Bible as well as the New Testament (Acts 8:1, for example), they were terms used by the British during their Mandate period 1920-1948 and by the United Nations in its Partition Resolution 181 (Part II, Para. A).
There need be no antipathy to using names that originated in antiquity. In truth, the term 'West Bank' is that which is a recent semantic creation, intended to obliterate the Jewishness of the territory promised to become the Jewish national home.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Who is Being Piggish?
I receive the communiques of the Cabinet meetings of Israel's government via the Foreign Ministry. The one from yesterday, 28 August 2005, caught my attention in its thrid paragraph:-
Cabinet Communique
(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
The Cabinet, at its weekly meeting today (Sunday), 28 August 2005:
...ISA Director Diskin and OC Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Zeevy (Farkash) briefed ministers on...the three recent incidents of Jewish terrorism (in Shfaram and Shilo, and the throwing of a pig's head at the Hassan Bek Mosque in Jaffa) that were perpetrated in Israel in order to disrupt and/or harm the Disengagement Plan.
As already reported, those arrested, while claiming their act was a hate crime against Arabs (obviously; after all, Muslims don't eat pigs and to dress one's head up with a kaffiyah and the word Muhammed on it is surely motivated by hate), were a pimp and one of his girls.
Now, I wouldn't go so far as to call this a "terror" attack.
And I would certainly investigate a) whether the chief suspect is mentally stable; and b) whether he has or had some run-ins whether fellpw pimps from the Arab sector (we are talking about Yaffo, one of Israel's main prostitution areas) which might have caused him, from purely personal reasons, to do such a dumb thing.
Cabinet Communique
(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
The Cabinet, at its weekly meeting today (Sunday), 28 August 2005:
...ISA Director Diskin and OC Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Zeevy (Farkash) briefed ministers on...the three recent incidents of Jewish terrorism (in Shfaram and Shilo, and the throwing of a pig's head at the Hassan Bek Mosque in Jaffa) that were perpetrated in Israel in order to disrupt and/or harm the Disengagement Plan.
As already reported, those arrested, while claiming their act was a hate crime against Arabs (obviously; after all, Muslims don't eat pigs and to dress one's head up with a kaffiyah and the word Muhammed on it is surely motivated by hate), were a pimp and one of his girls.
Now, I wouldn't go so far as to call this a "terror" attack.
And I would certainly investigate a) whether the chief suspect is mentally stable; and b) whether he has or had some run-ins whether fellpw pimps from the Arab sector (we are talking about Yaffo, one of Israel's main prostitution areas) which might have caused him, from purely personal reasons, to do such a dumb thing.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
They Are Just Warming Up
Rock Attacks on Route 60 in Samaria
(IsraelNN.com)
Ariel Sharon has "freed" them from Gaza so they're looking for more action.
(IsraelNN.com)
At least two drivers reported their windows were smashed in rock attacks earlier Sunday afternoon directed against Israeli motorists driving by the Arab village of Sinjel, south of Shilo in Samaria. No injuries were reported.
Ariel Sharon has "freed" them from Gaza so they're looking for more action.
Success with the BBC
Here's a four-part correspondence with the BBC's Jerusalem Bureau.
I spotted an error, complained and achieved a correction.
=========
1)
My appeal
The weirdness of media langauge.
In the Hebron story, the BBC publishes:-
"Approximately 1,200 soldiers guard some 500 ultra-orthodox Jewish settlers living in an enclave in the heart of Hebron,"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4186868.stm
Ultra-Orthodox?
But in the murder of a real ultra-orthodox Jew, one who studied at Mir Yeshiva, we get:
"Shmuel Mett, 21, and fellow Jewish religion student Sammy "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4183622.stm
Religion student?
I'm sure the BBC could do better. After all, English is the mother tongue.
2)
First Response
Subject: RE: Perhaps Correction Needed?
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 13:59:59 +0100
From:
To: Yisrael Medad
you're right about hebron -- let me see what I can do. I think the other story is ok to describe him as a regious student
Middle East Bureaux
BBC News
3)
Notice of Correction
Subject: RE: Perhaps Correction Needed?
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 14:06:19 +0100
From:
To: Yisrael Medad
being changed - thanks for spotting it.
Middle East Bureaux
BBC News
4)
Correction
the BBC changed their wording:-
Approximately 1,200 soldiers guard some 500 Jewish settlers living in an enclave in the heart of Hebron, among
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4186868.stm
I spotted an error, complained and achieved a correction.
=========
1)
My appeal
The weirdness of media langauge.
In the Hebron story, the BBC publishes:-
"Approximately 1,200 soldiers guard some 500 ultra-orthodox Jewish settlers living in an enclave in the heart of Hebron,"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4186868.stm
Ultra-Orthodox?
But in the murder of a real ultra-orthodox Jew, one who studied at Mir Yeshiva, we get:
"Shmuel Mett, 21, and fellow Jewish religion student Sammy "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4183622.stm
Religion student?
I'm sure the BBC could do better. After all, English is the mother tongue.
2)
First Response
Subject: RE: Perhaps Correction Needed?
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 13:59:59 +0100
From:
To: Yisrael Medad
you're right about hebron -- let me see what I can do. I think the other story is ok to describe him as a regious student
Middle East Bureaux
BBC News
3)
Notice of Correction
Subject: RE: Perhaps Correction Needed?
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 14:06:19 +0100
From:
To: Yisrael Medad
being changed - thanks for spotting it.
Middle East Bureaux
BBC News
4)
Correction
the BBC changed their wording:-
Approximately 1,200 soldiers guard some 500 Jewish settlers living in an enclave in the heart of Hebron, among
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4186868.stm
The Privileged Left
I missed this book and its review at the time.
But, I stumbled over it (I was skimming through some book reviews published in the British press).
Here's the intro:
Ah, the privilege of the Left. Only they can use the Holocaust imagery.
But, I stumbled over it (I was skimming through some book reviews published in the British press).
Here's the intro:
Likening the Israelis' treatment of Palestinians with the Holocaust is outrageous to most Jews. But Jacqueline Rose has dared to do just that in The Question of Zion, says Rafael Behr
Ah, the privilege of the Left. Only they can use the Holocaust imagery.
Friday, August 26, 2005
The Left is So-o-o Nonviolent
Yet again, another soldier is injured in the Anti-Fence Protest campaign near Bilin, in the Modi’in region. Palestinian Authority (PA) residents and left-wing Israelis pelted soldiers with rocks and eggs.
This has been going on, weekly, since February, I think.
In other words, these so-called nonviolent demonstrations have injured more IDF soldiers and Border policeman (one of whom was killed when he fell while chasing delinquents) than the anti-disengagement actions which, despite denials, the media always portrayed as violent.
Amazing.
This has been going on, weekly, since February, I think.
In other words, these so-called nonviolent demonstrations have injured more IDF soldiers and Border policeman (one of whom was killed when he fell while chasing delinquents) than the anti-disengagement actions which, despite denials, the media always portrayed as violent.
Amazing.
Hanging Loose
For how long can the Pals. think they can fool people?
In this New York Times report on the elimination of five terrorists, the claim is made that not all were terrorists.
So what were they?
Read on:-
Loose?
Like in "hang loose"?
In this New York Times report on the elimination of five terrorists, the claim is made that not all were terrorists.
So what were they?
Read on:-
Palestinians in Tulkarm said two of those killed were militants but three were teenagers who were unarmed but might have had loose affiliations with Palestinian factions.
Loose?
Like in "hang loose"?
The BBC's Habit of So-Calling
In a BBC story relating the circumstances of the murder of a British citizen in Jerusalem by stabbing, the location of the crime is given as:
Why "so-called"?
It would have been better to write "also known as..."
although just calling it the Western Wall would have been sufficient.
Let's see, is it to be also "Haram E-Sharif, so-called Temple Mount"?
Or better, "Temple Mount, so-called Haram E-Sharif"?
Maybe then for balance, the BBC should start writing that the Arabs live in a country "so-called Palestine"? Would their Arab listners appreciate that?
from the Western Wall (the so-called Wailing Wall) along a shopping street.
Why "so-called"?
It would have been better to write "also known as..."
although just calling it the Western Wall would have been sufficient.
Let's see, is it to be also "Haram E-Sharif, so-called Temple Mount"?
Or better, "Temple Mount, so-called Haram E-Sharif"?
Maybe then for balance, the BBC should start writing that the Arabs live in a country "so-called Palestine"? Would their Arab listners appreciate that?
Thursday, August 25, 2005
No Heart, No God
In her story published in USA Today, "Pullout leaves Sharon on slippery political ground", Andrea Stone saw fit to include a quotation from me:-
Sharon is ³a political dead man,² says Yisrael Medad, a West Bank settler
leader. ³He's without a heart and without a god.²
You Are Reading This As I Received It
I decided to record this just as I received it:-
Young Jewish Man Murdered in Jerusalem.
His crime - being Jewish.
I sit facing my computer, and words fail me. I have just witnessed one of the most tragic and traumatic events of my life.
“A Jewish young man died in my arms tonight.”
Yes, you read correctly. A Jewish man died in my arms tonight. His sin? Being Jewish in Jerusalem. At about 8:25 this evening, we got a call from the MDA dispatcher about a stabbing on Rechov David - the shuk leading from Shaar Yaffo (Jaffa Gate) to the Kotel. I immediately left my apartment and sped over to the chaotic scene not far from there on a Hatzolah ambucycle.
Upon arrival, a horrible sight greeted me. A young Jewish man, lying in a pool of his own blood, with a 15" knife sticking out of his stomach. After being at many bombings, car accidents and other traumatic events, this scene had the distinction of being the worst one I have ever seen. His skin a very pale color, and his eyes half open, I reached him. The only people around were police officers, who didn't really know what to do. The young Jewish man was not breathing, and he had no pulse. This is the nightmare of any EMT. Alone, as the only person with medical training at the scene, there is not much you can do. Many tasks need to be done, and many people are needed to do them. Starting CPR, connecting oxygen, starting numerous IV's due to massive blood loss and trying to stop the bleeding are some of the things that need to be done, but in the seconds that I was there, my mind stopped working.
One cannot think rationally in such situations - one must act like a robot, doing whatever could be done as quickly as possible. First, I called for backup on my MIRS, and then I started CPR. Even with all of the expensive equipment that we have, there are times that the only thing you can use is a simple pocket mask. Using a bag valve mask on a trauma patient that you are having trouble opening an airway for is a waste of time. It is close to impossible to use on your own on such a patient. I took out my trusty face mask, and started mouth to mouth resuscitation. I felt his lungs fill up with air, and I was slightly encouraged. One of the police officers started chest compressions (as well as he could), and we continued basic CPR for a minute or two. At this point, an ambulance with a paramedic - Aryeh Yaffe - arrived at the scene, along with Rafi Herbst and another volunteer. We now had four sets of hands instead of one, and could now start to try to save the young Jewish man's life. We immediately searched for the wounds and tried to stop the bleeding. At the same time we tried to start an IV, but were having difficulty due to the massive amounts of blood that he lost. We continued CPR, this time with a bag valve mask and good compressions, and in the meantime, more volunteers from the Jewish Quarter arrived on foot, and quickly took my place.
Shortly thereafter a MDA Mobile ICU arrived and continued to work on the patient - the Doctor I saw on their crew was one of the best I have ever seen working under pressure and keeping his cool - as well as giving fantastic care to the patient. Soon, we had three IV's running, and we were trying to restart the young man's heart using drugs. Atropine, Sodium Bicarbonate were used among other drugs, and soon we had a heart rhythm on the EKG, although we did not have a pulse. We moved the patient to the mobile ICU who transferred him to the trauma center at Haddassah Ein Karem, but the young man was pronounced dead in the operating room - he had a massive gash in the veins and arteries in his stomach, and we could not save him. When I had arrived at the scene previously - he was no longer with us, yet we tried everything that we could to bring him back - to no avail.
What was the young man's crime? What did he do wrong? Why was he murdered by our 'peace partners'? To us, the residents of the Old City, these answers are clear. The arabs want us out of Israel - out of Jerusalem. They see clearly that violence and terrorism against Jews works, as witnessed in Gaza and Gush Katif - five years of violence culminated in the surrender of the Jews. Now, they clearly say that they want Jerusalem - and the way for them to get it is through blood - our blood.
A friend of mine commented tonight, "Jewish blood is not cheap. It's free." The terrorism will continue - and will get much worse in Jerusalem. One thing I can tell you - we won't run. We will stand firm, and remain here until one side wins - us or them. The battle is for the soul of the Land of Israel - let no one think otherwise. In the meantime, I'm sure you are asking yourselves - what can be done?
The answer, as I see it, is threefold. Physical help: This includes writing to congressmen, senators, politicians; trying to influence the viewpoint of others around you; visiting Israel; helping us in our struggle. After tonight, I've realized that every volunteer EMT in the Old City should have a gun with him - we need to raise money for that as well (I can be reached at moshe@hatzolah.org.il for more information as to how to donate). I never thought that as an EMT I'd be trying to raise money for guns - the instruments of death, but times have changed. There are also other medical items that we need - reach me at the email address above. More importantly, we must realize that our fate is decided in Heaven. When a decree comes from before G-d, we must take a deeper look at ourselves and try to find what is wrong spiritually. Each of us must make additional effort in the spiritual realm to do more mitzvot and study Torah, and through that may we merit the rescinding of the terrible sword that hangs above our heads.
Let us cry together. Let us understand that a Jew murdered in Jerusalem must have an impact upon the entire Jewish nation - we must realize the depths that we have reached. We are a splintered, fragmented nation - each of us finding fault with the other. At the very least, let us join together in sorrow, and cry as one for the blood of a young man, murdered in Jerusalem simply because he was a Jew. Please pass this message on. We must wake up and realize where this is leading. We must arise to the challenge given to us and join together to be victorious.
Written in sorrow by Moshe Simons, EMT Hatzolah & MDA Volunteer Hatzolah Newsletter editor Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem
moshe@hatzolah.org.il
Young Jewish Man Murdered in Jerusalem.
His crime - being Jewish.
I sit facing my computer, and words fail me. I have just witnessed one of the most tragic and traumatic events of my life.
“A Jewish young man died in my arms tonight.”
Yes, you read correctly. A Jewish man died in my arms tonight. His sin? Being Jewish in Jerusalem. At about 8:25 this evening, we got a call from the MDA dispatcher about a stabbing on Rechov David - the shuk leading from Shaar Yaffo (Jaffa Gate) to the Kotel. I immediately left my apartment and sped over to the chaotic scene not far from there on a Hatzolah ambucycle.
Upon arrival, a horrible sight greeted me. A young Jewish man, lying in a pool of his own blood, with a 15" knife sticking out of his stomach. After being at many bombings, car accidents and other traumatic events, this scene had the distinction of being the worst one I have ever seen. His skin a very pale color, and his eyes half open, I reached him. The only people around were police officers, who didn't really know what to do. The young Jewish man was not breathing, and he had no pulse. This is the nightmare of any EMT. Alone, as the only person with medical training at the scene, there is not much you can do. Many tasks need to be done, and many people are needed to do them. Starting CPR, connecting oxygen, starting numerous IV's due to massive blood loss and trying to stop the bleeding are some of the things that need to be done, but in the seconds that I was there, my mind stopped working.
One cannot think rationally in such situations - one must act like a robot, doing whatever could be done as quickly as possible. First, I called for backup on my MIRS, and then I started CPR. Even with all of the expensive equipment that we have, there are times that the only thing you can use is a simple pocket mask. Using a bag valve mask on a trauma patient that you are having trouble opening an airway for is a waste of time. It is close to impossible to use on your own on such a patient. I took out my trusty face mask, and started mouth to mouth resuscitation. I felt his lungs fill up with air, and I was slightly encouraged. One of the police officers started chest compressions (as well as he could), and we continued basic CPR for a minute or two. At this point, an ambulance with a paramedic - Aryeh Yaffe - arrived at the scene, along with Rafi Herbst and another volunteer. We now had four sets of hands instead of one, and could now start to try to save the young Jewish man's life. We immediately searched for the wounds and tried to stop the bleeding. At the same time we tried to start an IV, but were having difficulty due to the massive amounts of blood that he lost. We continued CPR, this time with a bag valve mask and good compressions, and in the meantime, more volunteers from the Jewish Quarter arrived on foot, and quickly took my place.
Shortly thereafter a MDA Mobile ICU arrived and continued to work on the patient - the Doctor I saw on their crew was one of the best I have ever seen working under pressure and keeping his cool - as well as giving fantastic care to the patient. Soon, we had three IV's running, and we were trying to restart the young man's heart using drugs. Atropine, Sodium Bicarbonate were used among other drugs, and soon we had a heart rhythm on the EKG, although we did not have a pulse. We moved the patient to the mobile ICU who transferred him to the trauma center at Haddassah Ein Karem, but the young man was pronounced dead in the operating room - he had a massive gash in the veins and arteries in his stomach, and we could not save him. When I had arrived at the scene previously - he was no longer with us, yet we tried everything that we could to bring him back - to no avail.
What was the young man's crime? What did he do wrong? Why was he murdered by our 'peace partners'? To us, the residents of the Old City, these answers are clear. The arabs want us out of Israel - out of Jerusalem. They see clearly that violence and terrorism against Jews works, as witnessed in Gaza and Gush Katif - five years of violence culminated in the surrender of the Jews. Now, they clearly say that they want Jerusalem - and the way for them to get it is through blood - our blood.
A friend of mine commented tonight, "Jewish blood is not cheap. It's free." The terrorism will continue - and will get much worse in Jerusalem. One thing I can tell you - we won't run. We will stand firm, and remain here until one side wins - us or them. The battle is for the soul of the Land of Israel - let no one think otherwise. In the meantime, I'm sure you are asking yourselves - what can be done?
The answer, as I see it, is threefold. Physical help: This includes writing to congressmen, senators, politicians; trying to influence the viewpoint of others around you; visiting Israel; helping us in our struggle. After tonight, I've realized that every volunteer EMT in the Old City should have a gun with him - we need to raise money for that as well (I can be reached at moshe@hatzolah.org.il for more information as to how to donate). I never thought that as an EMT I'd be trying to raise money for guns - the instruments of death, but times have changed. There are also other medical items that we need - reach me at the email address above. More importantly, we must realize that our fate is decided in Heaven. When a decree comes from before G-d, we must take a deeper look at ourselves and try to find what is wrong spiritually. Each of us must make additional effort in the spiritual realm to do more mitzvot and study Torah, and through that may we merit the rescinding of the terrible sword that hangs above our heads.
Let us cry together. Let us understand that a Jew murdered in Jerusalem must have an impact upon the entire Jewish nation - we must realize the depths that we have reached. We are a splintered, fragmented nation - each of us finding fault with the other. At the very least, let us join together in sorrow, and cry as one for the blood of a young man, murdered in Jerusalem simply because he was a Jew. Please pass this message on. We must wake up and realize where this is leading. We must arise to the challenge given to us and join together to be victorious.
Written in sorrow by Moshe Simons, EMT Hatzolah & MDA Volunteer Hatzolah Newsletter editor Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem
moshe@hatzolah.org.il
"Poll" Dancing
Anybody watching and listening to the news here in Israel, or what passes for news but is actually the expression of personal political ideology by the newscasters, the interviewers and the commentators, knows that they all sneer at Bibi Netanyahu and mention, in a very annoying fashion his dependence on polls (after all, every politician utilizes polls). Even Arik Sharon deprecates Bibi for his 'poll' mentality.
So, what do I find buried in this Haaretz story?
That Arik's advisers:
What, Old Man Sharon uses polls? Employs advisers?
So, what do I find buried in this Haaretz story?
That Arik's advisers:
"warn Sharon against being wooed by misleading surveys that speak of a victory for him if he heads a new party."
What, Old Man Sharon uses polls? Employs advisers?
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Oz - The Peace Fanatic
The London Times carries an Amos Oz op-ed.
Here's a short excerpt:-
Amos Oz's attempt to set as opposites Jews as a religion and Jews as a nation is a failed philosophy.
One need not be a theological fanatic to realize that Arab terror is not fed by "occupation" or "settlements", neither of which existed prior to 1967, at which time Arab anti-Zionist terror had been in existence for decades.
Even Oz's dream of a Little Israel is insufficient for Arab visions of an eradicated Jewish state.
These peaceniks are so 'messianic', they put even Chabad to shame.
Here's a short excerpt:-
We want to live in peace and in freedom, not under the rule of the rabbis, not even under the rule of the Messiah, but under our own elected government.
We have a dream of being free from the lasting occupation of the Palestinian territories.
Amos Oz's attempt to set as opposites Jews as a religion and Jews as a nation is a failed philosophy.
One need not be a theological fanatic to realize that Arab terror is not fed by "occupation" or "settlements", neither of which existed prior to 1967, at which time Arab anti-Zionist terror had been in existence for decades.
Even Oz's dream of a Little Israel is insufficient for Arab visions of an eradicated Jewish state.
These peaceniks are so 'messianic', they put even Chabad to shame.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
From an Australian TV Interview
From the transcript of an interview at the big demo 10 days ago, on August 12 for an Australian TV network:
PETER CAVE: Yisrael Medad is a spokesman for the Yesha Council.
YISRAEL MEDAD: We are trying to represent the popular will of the people. This is a democracy.
PETER CAVE: Are you hoping that some of the thousands of people you've got here tonight will actually cross across into Gaza?
YISRAEL MEDAD: We're not only hoping, we know that they will be across into the Gush Katif area next week, and if not, they'll be at Kisufim Junction in order to slow down this process of evacuation and expulsion. We will not allow this process to go down quietly. If it does happen, afterwards, because they're going to be elections within the year, we're going to have a new Government, a new Prime Minister, and hopefully we'll return to sanity in this country.
PETER CAVE: Could you return to Gaza?
YISRAEL MEDAD: Quite possibly.
PETER CAVE: Yisrael Medad is a spokesman for the Yesha Council.
YISRAEL MEDAD: We are trying to represent the popular will of the people. This is a democracy.
PETER CAVE: Are you hoping that some of the thousands of people you've got here tonight will actually cross across into Gaza?
YISRAEL MEDAD: We're not only hoping, we know that they will be across into the Gush Katif area next week, and if not, they'll be at Kisufim Junction in order to slow down this process of evacuation and expulsion. We will not allow this process to go down quietly. If it does happen, afterwards, because they're going to be elections within the year, we're going to have a new Government, a new Prime Minister, and hopefully we'll return to sanity in this country.
PETER CAVE: Could you return to Gaza?
YISRAEL MEDAD: Quite possibly.
Other Shilohs
I live at Shiloh, Samaria, Israel.
Here, most probably, Yaakov fought a battle in retreat against Shchemites. Here Joshua divided out the tribal portions of the Land of Israel. Here the Tabernacle was erected. Here Samuel the Prophet was inducted to the prophetic ministry.
But what about the other Shilohs?
Here are a few references I found while stumbling through some search engines for something else entirely:-
1.
A Whole New Wardrobe for
Wet Wrapping!
Shiloh Healthcare are delighted to announce the launch of our new Comfifast Easywrap Suits – a range of easy to apply washable clothing used for wet wrapping in the treatment of paediatric atopic eczema.
2.
Shiloh Industries, Inc.
Products
Body Structures, Interior Metallics, Engineered Welded Blanks
3.
Shiloh, Illinois -- The Place to Be!
People who live and work in the Village of Shiloh know the simple pleasures of small-town life and at the same time enjoy all the benefits of a thriving metropolis. Located on the crest of a picturesque, unspoiled valley, Shiloh is encircled by several larger neighbors, including Belleville, Fairview Heights, O'Fallon, and Scott Air Force Base. Within the surrounding towns are numerous shopping centers, as well as the largest mall in Southern Illinois.
4.
Shiloh National Military Park was established in 1894 to preserve the scene of the first major battle in the Western theater of the Civil War. The two-day battle, April 6 and 7, 1862, involved about 65,000 Union and 44,000 Confederate troops. This battle resulted in nearly 24,000 killed, wounded, and missing. It proved to be a decisive victory for the federal forces when they advanced on and seized control of the Confederate railway system at Corinth, Mississippi. The battlefield contains about 4,000 acres at Shiloh and an interpretive center at Corinth, Mississippi.
5.
The Shiloh Project is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Fairfax County, Virginia and is a participating member of the Combined Federal Campaign and the United Way of the National Capital Area.
Our Mission: Teaching juvenile offenders and youth at-risk Compassion, Respect and Responsibility toward animals and others through the experience of socializing and interacting with rescued homeless dogs, Promoting the adoption of homeless companion animals and Encouraging healthy and positive human/animal bonds.
Any more out there?
Here, most probably, Yaakov fought a battle in retreat against Shchemites. Here Joshua divided out the tribal portions of the Land of Israel. Here the Tabernacle was erected. Here Samuel the Prophet was inducted to the prophetic ministry.
But what about the other Shilohs?
Here are a few references I found while stumbling through some search engines for something else entirely:-
1.
A Whole New Wardrobe for
Wet Wrapping!
Shiloh Healthcare are delighted to announce the launch of our new Comfifast Easywrap Suits – a range of easy to apply washable clothing used for wet wrapping in the treatment of paediatric atopic eczema.
2.
Shiloh Industries, Inc.
Products
Body Structures, Interior Metallics, Engineered Welded Blanks
3.
Shiloh, Illinois -- The Place to Be!
People who live and work in the Village of Shiloh know the simple pleasures of small-town life and at the same time enjoy all the benefits of a thriving metropolis. Located on the crest of a picturesque, unspoiled valley, Shiloh is encircled by several larger neighbors, including Belleville, Fairview Heights, O'Fallon, and Scott Air Force Base. Within the surrounding towns are numerous shopping centers, as well as the largest mall in Southern Illinois.
4.
Shiloh National Military Park was established in 1894 to preserve the scene of the first major battle in the Western theater of the Civil War. The two-day battle, April 6 and 7, 1862, involved about 65,000 Union and 44,000 Confederate troops. This battle resulted in nearly 24,000 killed, wounded, and missing. It proved to be a decisive victory for the federal forces when they advanced on and seized control of the Confederate railway system at Corinth, Mississippi. The battlefield contains about 4,000 acres at Shiloh and an interpretive center at Corinth, Mississippi.
5.
The Shiloh Project is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Fairfax County, Virginia and is a participating member of the Combined Federal Campaign and the United Way of the National Capital Area.
Our Mission: Teaching juvenile offenders and youth at-risk Compassion, Respect and Responsibility toward animals and others through the experience of socializing and interacting with rescued homeless dogs, Promoting the adoption of homeless companion animals and Encouraging healthy and positive human/animal bonds.
Any more out there?
Is there a psychosis called Masochistic Self-Hatred?
Amira Haas has published "Khan Yunis / What Netzarim cost Sheikh Ajlin: 114 lives, 1,900 dunams, 105 homes".
What can I say?
One Jay Friedman from Ra'anana added this response there at the site:
The Palestinian leadership caused the death of 114 Palestinians.
Can you imagine how Gaza would have looked had the Palestinians and the other Arab leaders been willing to make peace with Israel in 1947..in 1948? in 1949? in 1956? in 1967? in 1968 and on and on and on and on? in 2001? in 2001? in 2002? in 2003? in 2004???? Would Israel have remained in any part of the Gaza Strip if the Palestinians would have the courage to make peace?
He has said it all.
Poor Amira. But at least she made money off of Gaza by publishing a book.
What can I say?
One Jay Friedman from Ra'anana added this response there at the site:
The Palestinian leadership caused the death of 114 Palestinians.
Can you imagine how Gaza would have looked had the Palestinians and the other Arab leaders been willing to make peace with Israel in 1947..in 1948? in 1949? in 1956? in 1967? in 1968 and on and on and on and on? in 2001? in 2001? in 2002? in 2003? in 2004???? Would Israel have remained in any part of the Gaza Strip if the Palestinians would have the courage to make peace?
He has said it all.
Poor Amira. But at least she made money off of Gaza by publishing a book.
Fair is Fair
This story parallels that "Jewish couple" story.
And I believe in fairness, so here's an excerpt:
And I believe in fairness, so here's an excerpt:
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2005 — Officials at JP Morgan Chase have apologized and promised to improve their screening policies, after a credit card solicitation letter sent to a 54-year-old naturalized American citizen came addressed to "Palestinian Bomber."
The form letter for a Visa Platinum card arrived earlier this month at the home of Sami Habbas, a grocery store manager from Corona, Calif. Habbas is a naturalized U.S. citizen of Palestinian heritage. He told ABC News he is "extremely upset" at receiving the letter, pointing out that he has lived in the United States for 51 years and also served in the U.S. Army, receiving an honorable discharge in 1969.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Why Not Be Fair?
The New York Times carries a story on the crisis that the expelled Jewish population from Gaza and its supporters are undergoing.
Unfortunately, his interlocutors, Ari Shavit and Shlomo Avineri, are both opponents of Israel's presence in what Erlanger admits is "biblical Land of Israel".
Could not one representative voice have been quoted, to lend balance and authenticity to the discussion?
Unfortunately, his interlocutors, Ari Shavit and Shlomo Avineri, are both opponents of Israel's presence in what Erlanger admits is "biblical Land of Israel".
Could not one representative voice have been quoted, to lend balance and authenticity to the discussion?
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Maybe Sharon and SELA Head Bassi Can Use this Idea?
Okay, this (for full story) is a bit of on the black humor side of things. But the way things are going for some of the Gaza refugees, this isn't that far off the mark.
Germany's homeless students turn to living in a box
By Ruth Elkins, in Berlin
Published: 21 August 2005
The UK Independent
The new Micro-Compact Home (M-CH) offers students a cosy six square metres of individual dwelling where they can sleep, drink beer and occasionally fit in a bit of work. It is a raised, entirely open-plan aluminium cube. Inside, three levels of "interlocking space" miraculously manage to contain a stowaway bed, desk, kitchen and a "completely normal" toilet and shower, even if it is in the doorway. Equipped with flat-screen TV, internet access and air conditioning, the M-CH is easily transportable and so small it can be parked almost anywhere.
The new Micro-Compact Home (M-CH) offers students a cosy six square metres of individual dwelling where they can sleep, drink beer and occasionally fit in a bit of work. It is a raised, entirely open-plan aluminium cube. Inside, three levels of "interlocking space" miraculously manage to contain a stowaway bed, desk, kitchen and a "completely normal" toilet and shower, even if it is in the doorway. Equipped with flat-screen TV, internet access and air conditioning, the M-CH is easily transportable and so small it can be parked almost anywhere.
Germany's homeless students turn to living in a box
By Ruth Elkins, in Berlin
Published: 21 August 2005
The UK Independent
The new Micro-Compact Home (M-CH) offers students a cosy six square metres of individual dwelling where they can sleep, drink beer and occasionally fit in a bit of work. It is a raised, entirely open-plan aluminium cube. Inside, three levels of "interlocking space" miraculously manage to contain a stowaway bed, desk, kitchen and a "completely normal" toilet and shower, even if it is in the doorway. Equipped with flat-screen TV, internet access and air conditioning, the M-CH is easily transportable and so small it can be parked almost anywhere.
The new Micro-Compact Home (M-CH) offers students a cosy six square metres of individual dwelling where they can sleep, drink beer and occasionally fit in a bit of work. It is a raised, entirely open-plan aluminium cube. Inside, three levels of "interlocking space" miraculously manage to contain a stowaway bed, desk, kitchen and a "completely normal" toilet and shower, even if it is in the doorway. Equipped with flat-screen TV, internet access and air conditioning, the M-CH is easily transportable and so small it can be parked almost anywhere.
Rememeber that New Jersey Restaurant?
Remember that story of the "Jewish Couple" from last week?
Well, there's a follow up.
Read on.
Well, there's a follow up.
August 19, 2005 -- A posh Jersey Shore eatery, under fire for referring to a pair of diners as a "Jew Couple" on their check, is in hot water again.
Longtime customer Joanne Fordyce said she was outraged when she noticed that her check from Parkhill's Waterfront Grill in Loch Arbour printed, just below her table number, "Dirty Joanne."
Read on.
Friday, August 19, 2005
A Synagogue is not a Church
The scenes we observed at the Kfar Darom synagogue, a community that was abandoned in 1938 due to the Arab riots at the time; that was overrun and destroyed in the 1948 war after a heroic stand against the invading Egyptian army and now, in 2005, scheduled to be eradicated were difficult.
One comment made by the officers in command was that "we didn't desecrate the synagogue; you kids decided to select that site, not us".
Well, technically, that's true.
Nevertheless, as the Yesha Council spokesperson pointed out, this same Israel Defense Forces army refused, in 2002, to go into the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. And I am talking about the period when several terrorists were holed up inside, crimes far worse than the acts these youngsters did.
Makes you think, no?
One comment made by the officers in command was that "we didn't desecrate the synagogue; you kids decided to select that site, not us".
Well, technically, that's true.
Nevertheless, as the Yesha Council spokesperson pointed out, this same Israel Defense Forces army refused, in 2002, to go into the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. And I am talking about the period when several terrorists were holed up inside, crimes far worse than the acts these youngsters did.
Makes you think, no?
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Reality?
The New York Times' editorial asserts that "Gaza...part of Mandatory Palestine...was never part of the Zionist state intended by the United Nations partition plan that led to the establishment of Israel in 1948". This is ingenuous.
Gaza, part of the original territory intended by the League of Nations in 1922 to become the Jewish National Home, was indeed not included in the land mass that was to be the Jewish state in Palestine. That resolution, however, was rejected by the Arabs and became a dead letter. The war of aggression launched by Arabs, in blatant violation of the UN, left Israel in legitimate possession of the Gallilee, the southern sea coast and additional regions which are now recognized as Israel.
The Arab attempt in 1967 to continue the 1948 war left Israel administrating Gaza. The Jewish communities there, some of which existed prior to 1948 like Kfar Darom, are not illegitimate and neither are they the "worst side" of the revenant movement to continue Jewish life in the Jewish homeland but a continuation of genuine Jewish nationalism.
Would not the conclusion of the editorial's logic lead to Israel expelling Arabs, like the Jews of Gaza, out of their homes in Gallilee?
Gaza, part of the original territory intended by the League of Nations in 1922 to become the Jewish National Home, was indeed not included in the land mass that was to be the Jewish state in Palestine. That resolution, however, was rejected by the Arabs and became a dead letter. The war of aggression launched by Arabs, in blatant violation of the UN, left Israel in legitimate possession of the Gallilee, the southern sea coast and additional regions which are now recognized as Israel.
The Arab attempt in 1967 to continue the 1948 war left Israel administrating Gaza. The Jewish communities there, some of which existed prior to 1948 like Kfar Darom, are not illegitimate and neither are they the "worst side" of the revenant movement to continue Jewish life in the Jewish homeland but a continuation of genuine Jewish nationalism.
Would not the conclusion of the editorial's logic lead to Israel expelling Arabs, like the Jews of Gaza, out of their homes in Gallilee?
The Foreign Ministry Can't Write Properly
Israel's Foreign Ministry publishes updates on government pronouncements, events and other important developments. Unfortunately, the English is not that successful or even correct.
Here's the posting that went out early this morning:
And this is the short note I sent to their feedback address:-
Your translation is in error.
This was not the "Shilo Terrorist Attack".
This was the "Asher Vizgan Terror Attack".
Shiloh did not kill anybody.
No one who lives in Shiloh killed anyone.
One person, one individual killed. A community did not kill.
Here's the posting that went out early this morning:
Response of PM Sharon to Shilo terrorist attack - Aug 17, 2005
18/08/2005 6:42:09
Shalom, Yisrael Medad
**Response of PM Sharon to Shilo terrorist attack - Aug 17, 2005
====================================================================
Information Department, Israel Foreign Ministry - Jerusalem
Website: http://www.mfa.gov.il
E-mail: feedback@mfa.gov.il
And this is the short note I sent to their feedback address:-
Your translation is in error.
This was not the "Shilo Terrorist Attack".
This was the "Asher Vizgan Terror Attack".
Shiloh did not kill anybody.
No one who lives in Shiloh killed anyone.
One person, one individual killed. A community did not kill.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Just Exactly Who Is Responsible?
This is just amazing:-
The incident at the entrance to the Shiloh Bloc of communities was not part of some plan but, as far as I can tell, perhaps a result of the anti-"settler" incitement by the media (*) and those politicians who manipulate the media and raise all sorts of ideas that no one would contemplate or think about unless the media gives them a platform. No one here talks or discusses such ideas but the newspapers delight in reporting on the most unlikely scenarios and it is this phenomenom which could be the guilty party.
(*) And as the Jerusalem Post reports:-
The shooter was identified as Asher Weisgan, 40, from the West Bank settlement of Shvut Rahel. Initial findings suggested that he was not known to possess a radical ideology, security officials said.
Some of his friends, however, said he had appeared to be in a state of depression in recent days, probably because of disengagement.
Neither attacks came as a complete surprise to police or to the Shin Bet security service. In recent months, the security establishment has received numerous warnings of possible attacks by extremist Jews against the Palestinians in an attempt to incite disorder in the territories and block the disengagement plan.
The incident at the entrance to the Shiloh Bloc of communities was not part of some plan but, as far as I can tell, perhaps a result of the anti-"settler" incitement by the media (*) and those politicians who manipulate the media and raise all sorts of ideas that no one would contemplate or think about unless the media gives them a platform. No one here talks or discusses such ideas but the newspapers delight in reporting on the most unlikely scenarios and it is this phenomenom which could be the guilty party.
(*) And as the Jerusalem Post reports:-
The shooter was identified as Asher Weisgan, 40, from the West Bank settlement of Shvut Rahel. Initial findings suggested that he was not known to possess a radical ideology, security officials said.
Some of his friends, however, said he had appeared to be in a state of depression in recent days, probably because of disengagement.
Just How Jewish?
Someone sent me a story about a fancy Jersey Shore restaurant presenting a check which listed the diners' table as that of the "Jew Couple."
Here's an excerpt:-
Gee, I feel for them even though I am guessing that the eatery wasn't really serving Kosher food, especially as it was on the Shabbat.
Here's an excerpt:-
Brooklynite Elliot Stein says he was shocked that a waitress at the Parkhill's Waterfront Grill in Allenhurst printed the slur instead of a table number on his $36.75 bill.
As if that weren't bad enough, the 23-year-old shoe buyer told The Post, the offensive phrase then turned up on his credit-card statement two weeks later.
"My grandfather went through all that in old-school Europe," an angry Stein said yesterday. "But that happened more than 50 years ago. You don't expect it to happen in 2005, especially when a lot of their money comes from our community."
Relaxing at happy hour on a Friday night, July 8, he and his girlfriend of two years, Jennifer Cassin, had just finished their sushi and drinks. When the check arrived...along with the list of their orders was the printed phrase: "Jew Couple."
Stein, who has a vacation house in nearby Deal, N.J., said he was a regular at the waterfront establishment.
Gee, I feel for them even though I am guessing that the eatery wasn't really serving Kosher food, especially as it was on the Shabbat.
Even a London Bobby You Can't Trust
As the New York Times reports it, London policemen lie and kill.
It basically informs us that an official investigation directly contradicted the police account of the killing of a young Brazilian man after the bombing attempts in London on July 21.
At the time, the police said Mr. Menezes wore a bulky jacket on a hot day, began running from officers despite commands to halt, vaulted the ticket turnstile and ran stumbling onto the subway train. A news report on British television said an inquiry led by the Independent Police Complaints Commission had contradicted every one of those points. The report said that the officers had misidentified Mr. Menezes as one of the failed July 21 attackers and that he was killed even though he walked into the subway station wearing a light denim jacket, did not vault the turnstile and was sitting on the train when the officers moved in.
You can't trust policemen, in the U.K. and, as we know, in Israel as well.
It basically informs us that an official investigation directly contradicted the police account of the killing of a young Brazilian man after the bombing attempts in London on July 21.
At the time, the police said Mr. Menezes wore a bulky jacket on a hot day, began running from officers despite commands to halt, vaulted the ticket turnstile and ran stumbling onto the subway train. A news report on British television said an inquiry led by the Independent Police Complaints Commission had contradicted every one of those points. The report said that the officers had misidentified Mr. Menezes as one of the failed July 21 attackers and that he was killed even though he walked into the subway station wearing a light denim jacket, did not vault the turnstile and was sitting on the train when the officers moved in.
You can't trust policemen, in the U.K. and, as we know, in Israel as well.
Self-Incitement?
According to this Haaretz report, PM Ariel Sharon might find himself being blamed for incitement to violence. Who knows? With the current atmosphere as it is and with the media as it is and with an Attorney General as he is, democracy is a very fragile tool in the hands of those who either don't understand what the rights of free speech and free expression are, or, worse, seek to selectively pervert it from political and ideological persuasions.
Here, read for yourselves his words and how President Katzav quickly tried to correct him:-
Here, read for yourselves his words and how President Katzav quickly tried to correct him:-
"I want to truly appeal to everyone, not to attack the police, the women and men soldiers and police. Don't blame them. Don't make it hard on them. Don't hurt them, hurt me."
Referring to his disengagement plan, said "I am responsible for this. Hurt me. Blame me. Don't hurt the soldiers and police who are in any case in a state of distress."
Katsav then interjected, saying that Sharon intended to say "'Criticize me,' not 'hurt me.'"
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
More Thievery
As Itim reports in Haaretz,
Two Israel Defense Forces soldiers were caught Tuesday trying to loot the evacuated homes of settlers in the Gush Katif settlement of Pe'at Sadeh. This is the third time soldiers have been caught attempting to loot homes in that settlement this week.
The soldiers were in the midst of stealing pieces of silverware when a female soldier caught them in the act and reported the incident to a commander.
Poor Shuvi. Someone is responsible for this looting and they need to take care of their own moral position before demanding that no hand be raised (see yesterday's posting).
Two Israel Defense Forces soldiers were caught Tuesday trying to loot the evacuated homes of settlers in the Gush Katif settlement of Pe'at Sadeh. This is the third time soldiers have been caught attempting to loot homes in that settlement this week.
The soldiers were in the midst of stealing pieces of silverware when a female soldier caught them in the act and reported the incident to a commander.
Poor Shuvi. Someone is responsible for this looting and they need to take care of their own moral position before demanding that no hand be raised (see yesterday's posting).
Some Historic Issues
Jordan's King Abdullah II vowed Tuesday to oppose settling more Palestinian refugees in his country amid Arab fears that Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip may not extend to the West Bank.
He further said:
Well, well.
If there are any "historic issues" left to resolve, one of them is what happened to the original territory intended for the Jewish National Home? Or, why, after several partitions, one in 1922, another in 1947, the Pals. are still not satiated? Or, how is it that Abdullah's great-grandfather took over Jordan, himself a refugee displaced from Saudi Arabia?
He further said:
I know and do appreciate the fears of some of you that plans may exist to redraw the map of the region and to settle some historic issues at the expense of Jordan.
Well, well.
If there are any "historic issues" left to resolve, one of them is what happened to the original territory intended for the Jewish National Home? Or, why, after several partitions, one in 1922, another in 1947, the Pals. are still not satiated? Or, how is it that Abdullah's great-grandfather took over Jordan, himself a refugee displaced from Saudi Arabia?
Monday, August 15, 2005
From Whom Did They Learn to Steal?
Last month, a counter-campaign was launched to portray the anti-disengagement protests as violent and causing civil strife (you gotta give it to our Lefties, they really know where to get the money for these full page ads).
Anyway, the message was "don't you dare hit my son". The full ad reads: "His humor is from his mother; his big heart from his father; his duties from the IDF. Don't raise your hand against my son". It is signed "The Mothers of the Soldiers".
Well, in today's Hebrew edition of Haaretz (for which I haven't located a web site link) appears, way back on page 14A, a small notice that two Givati soldiers were caught stealing, or is it more properly plundering, out of homes in Pe'at Sadeh and Channel 10 TV caught 3 other soldiers from a combat engineering unit stealing a refrigerator from a house there, too. Here's The Jerusalem Post report.
Well, from whom did they learn to steal?
P.S. Why not ask them. Here's their address: office@shuvi.org
Anyway, the message was "don't you dare hit my son". The full ad reads: "His humor is from his mother; his big heart from his father; his duties from the IDF. Don't raise your hand against my son". It is signed "The Mothers of the Soldiers".
Well, in today's Hebrew edition of Haaretz (for which I haven't located a web site link) appears, way back on page 14A, a small notice that two Givati soldiers were caught stealing, or is it more properly plundering, out of homes in Pe'at Sadeh and Channel 10 TV caught 3 other soldiers from a combat engineering unit stealing a refrigerator from a house there, too. Here's The Jerusalem Post report.
Well, from whom did they learn to steal?
P.S. Why not ask them. Here's their address: office@shuvi.org
Not Worthy of Splashy Journalism?
Haaretz's English language web site reports that among those arrested on Friday at the weekly anti-fence demo near Bil'in was a soldier, female. The Hebrew print edition, on page 12A, way in the back, informs us that she was scheduled to serve in the office of...COC Dan Halutz.
Avi Bieber had his picture splashed across the front pages, for days.
And this soldier?
Could it be she belongs to the right, opps, left side of the political spectrum?
Avi Bieber had his picture splashed across the front pages, for days.
And this soldier?
Could it be she belongs to the right, opps, left side of the political spectrum?
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Hyper-Zionism
David Brooks, in an op-ed column in the New York Times writes of groups that reject the globalized culture who are "driven". He then sets out some examples. Like these:-
As it happens, Jews, from all over the world, and for centuries, have been returning to Hebron. In the 1929 riots, a half dozen American boys, from New York, Chicago and other places were among those murdered there. To live in Hebron as in Safed, Jerusalem and Tiberias over the centuries was not "hyper", but the most normal act a Jew could do. This was not a hyper-reaction but a fulfillment of the thousands year-old command and instruction to go and live in the homeland of the Jewish people.
Is it "hyper" because Brooks presumes that Hebron is "Arab territory" and that Jews shouldn't be there even if they do actually "belong" there? Why is accomplishing one of the most basic of Jewish acts, just like "next year in Jerusalem", to be thought of as 'weird', 'outlandish' and 'hyper'?
Islamic extremists reject the modern cultures of Europe, and have created a hyperaggressive fantasy version of traditional Islamic purity. In a much different and less violent way, some American Jews have moved to Hebron and become hyper-Zionists.
As it happens, Jews, from all over the world, and for centuries, have been returning to Hebron. In the 1929 riots, a half dozen American boys, from New York, Chicago and other places were among those murdered there. To live in Hebron as in Safed, Jerusalem and Tiberias over the centuries was not "hyper", but the most normal act a Jew could do. This was not a hyper-reaction but a fulfillment of the thousands year-old command and instruction to go and live in the homeland of the Jewish people.
Is it "hyper" because Brooks presumes that Hebron is "Arab territory" and that Jews shouldn't be there even if they do actually "belong" there? Why is accomplishing one of the most basic of Jewish acts, just like "next year in Jerusalem", to be thought of as 'weird', 'outlandish' and 'hyper'?
An Itemized Expense
This just shows how determined the evacuation is planned:-
Wednesday's drill took place at Kerem Shalom, a communal farm along Israel's border with Gaza. The army paid for residents to stay in a hotel during the exercise.
The 'Cultured' Left
Just yesterday, the media firestormed the pronouncement of Attorney-General Menni Mazuz that it has not been proven that incitement was a direct cause of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin.
They berated him for daring to assume that words cannot kill because without this basis, they have no case against the Right in a collective sense.
So, how does the Left write and use words?
Try this, from Yoel Marcus, senior columnist and editorial board member of Haaretz:-
They berated him for daring to assume that words cannot kill because without this basis, they have no case against the Right in a collective sense.
So, how does the Left write and use words?
Try this, from Yoel Marcus, senior columnist and editorial board member of Haaretz:-
Israel was attacked twice within the space of 72 hours. First by a Jewish terrorist who shot four passengers to death on a bus in Shfaram and then by Benjamin Netanyahu, who suddenly resigned as the cabinet met to put their John Hancock on the first stage of the pullout. Both attacks had the same motivation - to sabotage the disengagement. But it is doubtful that either the military misfit who became a murderer or the smart, sharp-tongued politician will achieve their goal.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Left-wing Hypocrisy Yet Again
Arutz 7 reported that
Are these the same people who complain when Gush Katif people utilize Holocaust-related messages?
vandals damaged the Rishon L’Tzion grave of IDF Pvt. Eidan Natan-Zada, who perpetrated last week’s bus attack in Shfar'am. City Hall officials report that vandals removed the grave marker which contains the name of the person buried, and removed a quantity of dirt. Officials stress the body of the soldier was not touched.
Are these the same people who complain when Gush Katif people utilize Holocaust-related messages?
How to Win Over the Public
Tel Aviv University published the results of a Peace Index poll they've been running monthly for almost a decade.
I think the information below from the poll indicates that I may have been right in my long-held beliefs that the methods, strategy, orientation and tactics of the anti-Oslo opposition led by the Yesha Council ("the Yesha Is Here" campaign vs. my proposed "This Is Not My Peace" line) as well as the current anti-Disengagement drive
========================================
Arguments of both the opponents and the supporters turn out to be primarily security-oriented rather than “ideological.” Thus, among the opponents the most common argument—23%—is that the withdrawal from Gaza is interpreted by the Palestinians as flight, and they must not be allowed to think this since it strengthens them against Israel.
The second most common argument—21.5%—is that the withdrawal will lead to an intensification of terror against Israel from the Strip, and the third argument—20%—is that the withdrawal poses a strategic danger to Israeli security. Only 11% cite as a main factor that the withdrawal sets a dangerous precedent for the evacuation of West Bank settlements as well, and even fewer—9%—ascribe most of their opposition to the fact that Gaza is part of the Promised Land of Israel.
Among the disengagement supporters, the order of the arguments is as follows: 33% believe the Israeli presence in Gaza is too costly in terms of victims and strengthens the Palestinians’ motivation for terror against Israel, and 22% say Gaza is not part of the historical Land of Israel and therefore Israel has no business there. Some 14% think the withdrawal will signal to the Palestinians that Israel desires peace and will encourage a return to the negotiating table; 11.5% feel that being in Gaza has no strategic value in terms of Israeli security, and only 10% “bought” the explanation by Dov Weisglass that Israel should leave Gaza in order to relieve the international pressure, enabling it to retain the West Bank settlements in the long run.
I think the information below from the poll indicates that I may have been right in my long-held beliefs that the methods, strategy, orientation and tactics of the anti-Oslo opposition led by the Yesha Council ("the Yesha Is Here" campaign vs. my proposed "This Is Not My Peace" line) as well as the current anti-Disengagement drive
========================================
Arguments of both the opponents and the supporters turn out to be primarily security-oriented rather than “ideological.” Thus, among the opponents the most common argument—23%—is that the withdrawal from Gaza is interpreted by the Palestinians as flight, and they must not be allowed to think this since it strengthens them against Israel.
The second most common argument—21.5%—is that the withdrawal will lead to an intensification of terror against Israel from the Strip, and the third argument—20%—is that the withdrawal poses a strategic danger to Israeli security. Only 11% cite as a main factor that the withdrawal sets a dangerous precedent for the evacuation of West Bank settlements as well, and even fewer—9%—ascribe most of their opposition to the fact that Gaza is part of the Promised Land of Israel.
Among the disengagement supporters, the order of the arguments is as follows: 33% believe the Israeli presence in Gaza is too costly in terms of victims and strengthens the Palestinians’ motivation for terror against Israel, and 22% say Gaza is not part of the historical Land of Israel and therefore Israel has no business there. Some 14% think the withdrawal will signal to the Palestinians that Israel desires peace and will encourage a return to the negotiating table; 11.5% feel that being in Gaza has no strategic value in terms of Israeli security, and only 10% “bought” the explanation by Dov Weisglass that Israel should leave Gaza in order to relieve the international pressure, enabling it to retain the West Bank settlements in the long run.
Facts are Facts
Andrea Levin, Executive Director of CAMERA in Boston, had a letter published in the Boston Globe on August 5 in response to a factually erroneous letter printed several days earlier.
In part, it read:-
To my mind, CAMERA would have been on stronger ground on the question of "settlement legality" had Andrea Levin pointed out that one of the fundamental legal rights granted Jews within the territory of the reconstituted Jewish National Home, which from 1922 onwards included all the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, was that of "close settlement".
The language of Article 6 is quite clear on this matter, reading that the Mandate Power "shall encourage...close settlement by Jews, on the land, including State lands and waste lands".
In part, it read:-
As to Garrett's claim that even Israel's own Supreme Court deems Jewish settlements illegal, he's wrong. The opposite is true. The Elon Moreh case of 1979, the key relevant court decision, set the parameters for establishment of legal settlements. It ruled, for example, that no private Arab land could be taken for settlements in the West Bank and Gaza, but rather, state land was to be used.
To my mind, CAMERA would have been on stronger ground on the question of "settlement legality" had Andrea Levin pointed out that one of the fundamental legal rights granted Jews within the territory of the reconstituted Jewish National Home, which from 1922 onwards included all the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, was that of "close settlement".
The language of Article 6 is quite clear on this matter, reading that the Mandate Power "shall encourage...close settlement by Jews, on the land, including State lands and waste lands".
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
When Reality Becomes Real
The New York Times editorial today is particularly viscious.
On the one hand, it congratulates Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "for standing firm and proceeding with the Gaza pullout...[and]...bowing to a demographic reality and a realistic understanding" of Israel's needs.
On the other, it denigrates resigning Finance Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, pitying him for "still refusing to acknowledge" a political, economic and emotional reality that Israel cannot hold on to the Gaza Strip.
In a few months time, however, we will know what the reality will be as it will be reported on the pages of the NYT and broadcast.
Will that reality be the optimistic view Sharon sees, that of peace, or the pessimistic outlook of Netanyahu, one of increased terror?
But the real puzzle will be: will the New York Times recognize the reality when it occurs or we will still be treated to plain bad advice?
On the one hand, it congratulates Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "for standing firm and proceeding with the Gaza pullout...[and]...bowing to a demographic reality and a realistic understanding" of Israel's needs.
On the other, it denigrates resigning Finance Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, pitying him for "still refusing to acknowledge" a political, economic and emotional reality that Israel cannot hold on to the Gaza Strip.
In a few months time, however, we will know what the reality will be as it will be reported on the pages of the NYT and broadcast.
Will that reality be the optimistic view Sharon sees, that of peace, or the pessimistic outlook of Netanyahu, one of increased terror?
But the real puzzle will be: will the New York Times recognize the reality when it occurs or we will still be treated to plain bad advice?
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Dumb
So says Ehud Olmert, vice prime minister and Ariel Sharon's running dog or, if that's too strong, then Sancho Panza:-
"I am amazed by the responsible and restrained manner that the Arab public displayed after the attack," Ehud Olmert said on his visit to Shfaram on Saturday.
And the truth?
Read on:-
MK Mohammed Barakeh warned on Saturday that protests could erupt if police probe Zada's lynching.
According to Barakeh, the crowd attacked Zada out of concern he would continue with his shooting rampage. He denied that Zada was beaten after being handcuffed by police.
However, Shfaram's security officer, Jamal Aliam, told Army Radio that Zada had been attacked by dozens after he had been handcuffed and subdued by police.
"I am amazed by the responsible and restrained manner that the Arab public displayed after the attack," Ehud Olmert said on his visit to Shfaram on Saturday.
And the truth?
Read on:-
MK Mohammed Barakeh warned on Saturday that protests could erupt if police probe Zada's lynching.
According to Barakeh, the crowd attacked Zada out of concern he would continue with his shooting rampage. He denied that Zada was beaten after being handcuffed by police.
However, Shfaram's security officer, Jamal Aliam, told Army Radio that Zada had been attacked by dozens after he had been handcuffed and subdued by police.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Dov Weisglass told the world that 60,000 more revenants will have to be displaced in a further depopulation move.
Here's what he said, a la Reuters:-
Feel better now?
Here's what he said, a la Reuters:-
JERUSALEM, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Israel expects at least 180,000 of the current
240,000 settlers in the occupied West Bank will be able to stay in their
homes with approval from the United States, an aide to Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon said on Thursday.
In support of Sharon's plan, Washington said last year that Israel could
expect to keep some occupied land in any final peace deal with the
Palestinians.
"Altogether, we talk about 180,000 settlers of a total population of
240,000. So this is of course a significant step forward in this matter,"
Weisglass said in a conference broadcast on Israeli radio.
"It means the entire area of greater Jerusalem, the city of Maale Adumim,
the settlements in the Gush Etzion area and the bloc of settlements around
Ariel."
Feel better now?
They Never Heed Warnings
Haaretz reports that the family of the killer of the non-Jews in Shfar'am warned the authorities that their son posed a clear and present danger. Yet nothing was done.
Carmella Menasheh went on Channel One end-of-week wrapup show Friday night to testify to the truth of that statement, noting that for 6 weeks she tried to get a response to the family's claims and only two hours (!) prior to the shooting, she was informed that everything was being dealt with.
So, if they can't deal with one Jewish killer, of course they ignore the warnings about thousands of potential Arab killers waiting in the wings in Gaza and northern Samaria.
Carmella Menasheh went on Channel One end-of-week wrapup show Friday night to testify to the truth of that statement, noting that for 6 weeks she tried to get a response to the family's claims and only two hours (!) prior to the shooting, she was informed that everything was being dealt with.
So, if they can't deal with one Jewish killer, of course they ignore the warnings about thousands of potential Arab killers waiting in the wings in Gaza and northern Samaria.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Against Jews They Can Be Tough But Against Arabs?
Haaretz reports
a. they can be tough against Jews but prove less than capable facing an Arab mob?
b. when the Kasams fall in Gaza during the expulsion, will they also run away?
The mob kicked the gunman and hurled objects at him. Police officers surrounded the bus in an attempt to protect the gunman from the mob, but moved away when they thought the Lower Galilee residents were going to set the bus on fire.
a. they can be tough against Jews but prove less than capable facing an Arab mob?
b. when the Kasams fall in Gaza during the expulsion, will they also run away?
Friday, July 22, 2005
British Anti-Terror Morality
Israel has been lambasted over 'targeted killings' and almost everything else it does to defend its citizens.
And Britain?
Oh, the old hypocritical attitude of "do as I say, not as I do".
Here, read on:
And Britain?
Oh, the old hypocritical attitude of "do as I say, not as I do".
Here, read on:
"I heard a load of noise, people saying, 'Get out, get down!'
"I saw an Asian guy run onto the train hotly pursued by three plain-clothes police officers.
'Bomb belt'
"One of them was carrying a black handgun - it looked like an automatic - they pushed him to the floor, bundled on top of him and unloaded five shots into him."
BBC Home affairs correspondent Margaret Gilmore said officers had challenged a known suspect they had been following.
"He ran, they followed him. They say they gave him a warning, they then shot him.
"They brought in the air ambulance. They did everything they can to revive him. He died at the scene."
Police had warned they would shoot to kill if they believed somebody to be a threat, she added.
BBC crime correspondent Neil Bennett said the suspect was being followed as a result of CCTV footage seen by officers investigating Thursday's explosions.
The Muslim Council of Britain said Muslims were concerned about a possible "shoot to kill" policy.
עוד דבר שנפל בדרך
האלבום "רוח אחרת" שיזם יונה פרסבורגר היה לתרומה אדירה לבניית נחישות המעש של הדור החדש אשר צמח לנו מאז ימי אוסלו והפירות של המחאה היום ניתן לזקוף גם לזכותו.
לצערי, חלקה של "האגודה לזכות הציבור לדעת" הוקטן שלא בצדק ושלא לפי התכנון המקורי. המאבק נגד התקשורת, כפי שאנו חוזים מולנו הוא תרכיב מכריע בהצלחה או, להיפך, לכשלון.
התבקשתי לחבר נוסח אשר ישולב בפרק על התקשורת וגם נוסח לעניין מהותו של מאבק של מחאה אך הם נשרו בשולחן המערכת.
אז, הנה מה שכתבתי, לשיפוטכם:
יצחק רבין, ראש ממשלת ישראל בין השנים 1993-1995, נשא עמו טינה לא מבוטלת כלפי מפעל ההתיישבות של גוש אמונים. כאשר חג מעל לרבבות אשר באו והתקבצו מסביב לתחנת הרכבת הטורקית מסעודה שליד סבסטיה במסוקו, וזאת על מנת לבחון דרכי תגובה אפשרויות, פלט מילת הגנאי "פורשים", כאילו הוא עדיין איש פלמ"ח הרודף אנשי מחנה היריב הפוליטי-אידאולוגי בטרם מדינה, לפעמים מסגיר אותם לכובש הזר, לפעמים מפליא מכות בהם אבל כל הזמן בז להם.
והנה, בדרכו ל"שלום", הוא מוצא מולו 'גוף חוסם' מבוצר, נחוש ובלתי-מתפשר: אנשי ההתנחלויות, תושבי כפר ועיר, דתיים, חילוניים, גם פרופסורים ואנשי אקדמיה ועשרות אלפי 'עמך' שכבר בקיץ 1993, על מדשאות גן הוורדים מול הכנסת, ולאחר מכן, על חוף ימה של תל-אביב, טענו נגדו שאין לו מנדט. תוך שנה, הסיסמא אשר תונף אל-על תהיה "העם לא חתם". ואולם, מה שהמפגינים ראו כאמצעי מחאה סביר, ובהקבלה למדינות ולמצבים בארצות אחרות, אמצעי יעיל וצודק, ראה מר רבין שאיום ממשי על שלטונו.
לעולם לא נדע מה התרחש בליבו פנימה נוכח הידיעה ששר החוץ שלו וסגנו, מר שמעון פרס וד"ר יוסי ביילין, חתרו נגדו בשלב מסוים של ניהול המגעים עם אנשי אש"ף בנורבגיה בעוד הוא מקדם את המגעים עם המשלחת הפלסטינית בוושינגטון. אולי העוינות הברורה והגלויה אשר גילה יצחק רבין למתייצבים מולו בגנים ציבוריים, על המדרכות, בצמתים ובאוהלי המחאה ועל הגבעה נמול חלונות משרדו בקריה בירושלים גם נבעה כתוצאה מהתסכול שהיה לו מהלחץ שהוא מצא את עצמו בו.
מחוסר כלים מקצועיים או עדויות נאמנות אחרות, לא נוכל לקבוע קביעות חד-משמעויות כדי לבסס השערות בתחום זה. לא נוכל לדעת מה באמת חשב והעריך יצחק רבין. נותרה לנו רק עובדה אחת: יחסו הקשה, המזלזל, הבוטה והמחוספס כלפי התנועה העממית הגדולה והרחבה שקמה בישראל כדי להיאבק למען ארץ-ישראל ולמען הציונות מול המדיניות של כניעה, התרפסות אך חוקי ומקובל בהשוואה למדינות שאף הם עברו משבר אקוטי, אם בארה"ב והתנועה למען זכויות האדם שבהנהגתו של מרטין לותר קינג או המחאות נגד מלחמת וייטנאם; אם באנגליה ותנועת הפציפיזם ופירוק הנשק הגרעיני אשר הנהיג ברטרנד רוסל; ואם מאבקים אחרים של סולידרטי בפולין או הסטודנטים ברחובות פאריס.
ביסוד ההתנכרות לתנועת המחאה היתה מונחת פסילה עד כדי דה-לגטימיזציה של זכות האזרחים בכלל לנהל מאבק זה ובדרגה נוספת, גישת הממשל הרביני שללה את אופי המחאה ומייד ניסתה להדביק לה פן "קיצוני" ואף "פשיסטי". אם ביוזמתו ואם כתוצאה מיעוץ של איש תקשורת ויחסי צבור שנון, לכאורה, רבין הנהיג הדבקת תווית של "ימין קיצוני" לכל קבוצה מפגינה. שותפו לממשלת אוסלו, פרס, הטיל פעם כלפי הגב' רות מטר, חמותה של נדיה ושותפה בהובלת "הנשים בירוק", התרסה והמליצה לה לחזור לארץ-מוצאה שהוא בטעות חשב שהיא ארה"ב (רות נולדה באוסטריה). הנה, פרס פועל כאנטי-ציוני בנסיון לגרש מהמולדת עולה ותיקה.
לצורך מאמץ שלטוני זה גוייסו שכבת ה"אליטות" שעשרות שנים ראו את עצמן כשותפים לדרך מה שפעם נקרא "המחנה הפועלי". קול המחאה שותק ע"י פעולות ההעלמות מצד אחד, ומצד שני ע"י הבלטה של דמויות קיקיוניות ויוצאות-דופן כדי להשחיר. ח"כ בני בגין העיד שמשך כשלשה חדשים הוא השתדל לשווא להביא לידיעת הצבור הרחב, דרך הופעה בטלויזיה, את דברי "נאומי ערפאת". והנה, לאחר שבישיבת ועדת החוץ והבטחון של הכנסת רמז שמעון פרס שבעצם החומר שבקלטות הוא מזוייף ולא-אמיתי, מר בגין זומן להופיע בפני מצלמתו של רפיק חלבי ומול שאלותיו של חיים יבין לא בגלל המסר הלא-נעים שהעביר ערפאת לצבור שלו בשפתו אלא כדי ל"הוכיח" שבגין עוסק בחומר שקיים כלפיו ספק.
ואם בספק נגענו, פרשת "ביטול" המאנה הפלסטינית מאפריל 1994, מדגימה פן נוסף של מאמצי השלטון לדכא בכל צורה שהיא את המחאה וההתנגדות לתהליך אוסלו.
לצערי, חלקה של "האגודה לזכות הציבור לדעת" הוקטן שלא בצדק ושלא לפי התכנון המקורי. המאבק נגד התקשורת, כפי שאנו חוזים מולנו הוא תרכיב מכריע בהצלחה או, להיפך, לכשלון.
התבקשתי לחבר נוסח אשר ישולב בפרק על התקשורת וגם נוסח לעניין מהותו של מאבק של מחאה אך הם נשרו בשולחן המערכת.
אז, הנה מה שכתבתי, לשיפוטכם:
יצחק רבין, ראש ממשלת ישראל בין השנים 1993-1995, נשא עמו טינה לא מבוטלת כלפי מפעל ההתיישבות של גוש אמונים. כאשר חג מעל לרבבות אשר באו והתקבצו מסביב לתחנת הרכבת הטורקית מסעודה שליד סבסטיה במסוקו, וזאת על מנת לבחון דרכי תגובה אפשרויות, פלט מילת הגנאי "פורשים", כאילו הוא עדיין איש פלמ"ח הרודף אנשי מחנה היריב הפוליטי-אידאולוגי בטרם מדינה, לפעמים מסגיר אותם לכובש הזר, לפעמים מפליא מכות בהם אבל כל הזמן בז להם.
והנה, בדרכו ל"שלום", הוא מוצא מולו 'גוף חוסם' מבוצר, נחוש ובלתי-מתפשר: אנשי ההתנחלויות, תושבי כפר ועיר, דתיים, חילוניים, גם פרופסורים ואנשי אקדמיה ועשרות אלפי 'עמך' שכבר בקיץ 1993, על מדשאות גן הוורדים מול הכנסת, ולאחר מכן, על חוף ימה של תל-אביב, טענו נגדו שאין לו מנדט. תוך שנה, הסיסמא אשר תונף אל-על תהיה "העם לא חתם". ואולם, מה שהמפגינים ראו כאמצעי מחאה סביר, ובהקבלה למדינות ולמצבים בארצות אחרות, אמצעי יעיל וצודק, ראה מר רבין שאיום ממשי על שלטונו.
לעולם לא נדע מה התרחש בליבו פנימה נוכח הידיעה ששר החוץ שלו וסגנו, מר שמעון פרס וד"ר יוסי ביילין, חתרו נגדו בשלב מסוים של ניהול המגעים עם אנשי אש"ף בנורבגיה בעוד הוא מקדם את המגעים עם המשלחת הפלסטינית בוושינגטון. אולי העוינות הברורה והגלויה אשר גילה יצחק רבין למתייצבים מולו בגנים ציבוריים, על המדרכות, בצמתים ובאוהלי המחאה ועל הגבעה נמול חלונות משרדו בקריה בירושלים גם נבעה כתוצאה מהתסכול שהיה לו מהלחץ שהוא מצא את עצמו בו.
מחוסר כלים מקצועיים או עדויות נאמנות אחרות, לא נוכל לקבוע קביעות חד-משמעויות כדי לבסס השערות בתחום זה. לא נוכל לדעת מה באמת חשב והעריך יצחק רבין. נותרה לנו רק עובדה אחת: יחסו הקשה, המזלזל, הבוטה והמחוספס כלפי התנועה העממית הגדולה והרחבה שקמה בישראל כדי להיאבק למען ארץ-ישראל ולמען הציונות מול המדיניות של כניעה, התרפסות אך חוקי ומקובל בהשוואה למדינות שאף הם עברו משבר אקוטי, אם בארה"ב והתנועה למען זכויות האדם שבהנהגתו של מרטין לותר קינג או המחאות נגד מלחמת וייטנאם; אם באנגליה ותנועת הפציפיזם ופירוק הנשק הגרעיני אשר הנהיג ברטרנד רוסל; ואם מאבקים אחרים של סולידרטי בפולין או הסטודנטים ברחובות פאריס.
ביסוד ההתנכרות לתנועת המחאה היתה מונחת פסילה עד כדי דה-לגטימיזציה של זכות האזרחים בכלל לנהל מאבק זה ובדרגה נוספת, גישת הממשל הרביני שללה את אופי המחאה ומייד ניסתה להדביק לה פן "קיצוני" ואף "פשיסטי". אם ביוזמתו ואם כתוצאה מיעוץ של איש תקשורת ויחסי צבור שנון, לכאורה, רבין הנהיג הדבקת תווית של "ימין קיצוני" לכל קבוצה מפגינה. שותפו לממשלת אוסלו, פרס, הטיל פעם כלפי הגב' רות מטר, חמותה של נדיה ושותפה בהובלת "הנשים בירוק", התרסה והמליצה לה לחזור לארץ-מוצאה שהוא בטעות חשב שהיא ארה"ב (רות נולדה באוסטריה). הנה, פרס פועל כאנטי-ציוני בנסיון לגרש מהמולדת עולה ותיקה.
לצורך מאמץ שלטוני זה גוייסו שכבת ה"אליטות" שעשרות שנים ראו את עצמן כשותפים לדרך מה שפעם נקרא "המחנה הפועלי". קול המחאה שותק ע"י פעולות ההעלמות מצד אחד, ומצד שני ע"י הבלטה של דמויות קיקיוניות ויוצאות-דופן כדי להשחיר. ח"כ בני בגין העיד שמשך כשלשה חדשים הוא השתדל לשווא להביא לידיעת הצבור הרחב, דרך הופעה בטלויזיה, את דברי "נאומי ערפאת". והנה, לאחר שבישיבת ועדת החוץ והבטחון של הכנסת רמז שמעון פרס שבעצם החומר שבקלטות הוא מזוייף ולא-אמיתי, מר בגין זומן להופיע בפני מצלמתו של רפיק חלבי ומול שאלותיו של חיים יבין לא בגלל המסר הלא-נעים שהעביר ערפאת לצבור שלו בשפתו אלא כדי ל"הוכיח" שבגין עוסק בחומר שקיים כלפיו ספק.
ואם בספק נגענו, פרשת "ביטול" המאנה הפלסטינית מאפריל 1994, מדגימה פן נוסף של מאמצי השלטון לדכא בכל צורה שהיא את המחאה וההתנגדות לתהליך אוסלו.
הנה, כבר שנה עברה
לפני כשנה, בגליון פר' מטות-מסעי של "מעט מן האור", הובא שירו של זאב ז'בוטינסקי "שמאל הירדן" שעיקרו תביעה ששטח המנדט יכלול את שתי גדות הירדן. העורך ראה לנכון להביע זלזול מסוים בשיר ע"י ציון מוזריותה של המלה אפדן ("מי יודע מה זה…").
שלחתי את התיקון הבא אל חנן פורת אבל הוא לא ראה לנכון לכלול את הערותיי בגליון הבא ואחרי שפגשתי אותו, הוא קצת, איך אומרים, 'משך את כתפותיו'. אז, אחרי שנה, הנה מה שכתבי:-
שלחתי את התיקון הבא אל חנן פורת אבל הוא לא ראה לנכון לכלול את הערותיי בגליון הבא ואחרי שפגשתי אותו, הוא קצת, איך אומרים, 'משך את כתפותיו'. אז, אחרי שנה, הנה מה שכתבי:-
ואכן, המלה מופיעה בדניאל (אגב, אחד מהספרים שבתנ"ך). בפרק י"א, פסוק מה כתוב: ויטע אהלי אפנדו" והמשמעות, כנראה, היא ארמון או חצר או היכל של ארמון. מצודת ציון קובע ארמון ומביא מקור מהגמרא בברכות. הרס"ג מקשר למלה אפוד, כאילו כיסוי חשוב. רש"י, על הפסוק בבראשית כ"ה כ, מסביר את פדן ארם שמשמעות של שדה. ולבסוף, בגמרא בבא מציעא לה' עמוד א, המלה מופיעה בארמית, "אפדניה" ומשמעותה שם גם ארמון.
מדרש הסירוב
במהדורה מיוחדת של פסיקתא דרבי כהנא נמצא מדרש זה אשר, לפי חוקרים, חובר בימי המרד נגד הרומאים בידי אנשי כת מתונה מבין המורדים אשר האלימות שהנהיגו אנשי הסיקריקין הפחידה אותם.
א"ר ישראל בן שמואל: "ותיראן המילדת את הא-להים ולא עשו כאשר דבר אליהן מלך מצרים" (שמות א, י"ז), "ותיראן את הא-להים" מרותו של הקב"ה היתה מקובלת עליהן יותר מזו של מלך בשר ודם. "לא עשו", משמע סירבו. א"ר יצחק כתוב "ויאמר להן מדוע עשיתן הדבר הזה" (שם, י"ח) והיה על פרעה לשאול אותן 'מדוע לא עשיתן' כי הרי הוא ציווה עליהן להרוג את כל הזכרים דכתיב "אם בן הוא והמתן אתו" (שם, ט"ו).
אם כן, מאי טעמא "מדוע עשיתן". "עשיתן", זה מה שכתוב "ותחיין את הילדים" שסיפקו להם מים ומזון. אלא מדוע אין פרעה שואל אודות הסירוב? והשיב ר' ישראל: כי פרעה הבין את הסירוב ולא ביקש להעניש אותן על כך כי חזר בתשובה.
מדרש יפה, לא?
א"ר ישראל בן שמואל: "ותיראן המילדת את הא-להים ולא עשו כאשר דבר אליהן מלך מצרים" (שמות א, י"ז), "ותיראן את הא-להים" מרותו של הקב"ה היתה מקובלת עליהן יותר מזו של מלך בשר ודם. "לא עשו", משמע סירבו. א"ר יצחק כתוב "ויאמר להן מדוע עשיתן הדבר הזה" (שם, י"ח) והיה על פרעה לשאול אותן 'מדוע לא עשיתן' כי הרי הוא ציווה עליהן להרוג את כל הזכרים דכתיב "אם בן הוא והמתן אתו" (שם, ט"ו).
אם כן, מאי טעמא "מדוע עשיתן". "עשיתן", זה מה שכתוב "ותחיין את הילדים" שסיפקו להם מים ומזון. אלא מדוע אין פרעה שואל אודות הסירוב? והשיב ר' ישראל: כי פרעה הבין את הסירוב ולא ביקש להעניש אותן על כך כי חזר בתשובה.
מדרש יפה, לא?
הדוקרים משילה או - הנה באה עלילת הדם
הקלות הבאמת בלתי-נסבלת והפעם, הבלתי-נסלחת של עיתונאים להאמין שיהודים דקרו למוות, ב- 12 דקירות, ילד ערבי מהכפר קריות שליד שילה, וגם לא לבקש תגובה אלא למהר ולפרסם בכל העולם עברה כל גבול מוסרי, אתי ומקצועי. הנה, חוזרת אלינו עלילת הילד הנוצרי של ערב פסח בארצות הגולה.
בבדיחת הדעת, אני אמרתי למישהו "הרי אי-אשפר השכניי היו מעורבים כי כל בריון ואמיץ-לב, שלא לדבר על "השוליים המטורפים" ו"הקיצוניים שבקרב המתנחלים", היו בכפר מימון רחוק רחוק מקריות.
והנה, גם אם אין גופה ואין כל ראיות ואין כל חקירה עיתונאית, מותר לשפוך דווקא את דמינו.
ותוך יום מתברר שסכסוך חמולות היא הגורם, מה שהיה הגיוני וברור לכל בר-דעת המכיר את המציאות כאן. אבל מדובר במתנחלים, נכון? אותם יהודים מאיימים ומסכנים.
בבדיחת הדעת, אני אמרתי למישהו "הרי אי-אשפר השכניי היו מעורבים כי כל בריון ואמיץ-לב, שלא לדבר על "השוליים המטורפים" ו"הקיצוניים שבקרב המתנחלים", היו בכפר מימון רחוק רחוק מקריות.
והנה, גם אם אין גופה ואין כל ראיות ואין כל חקירה עיתונאית, מותר לשפוך דווקא את דמינו.
ותוך יום מתברר שסכסוך חמולות היא הגורם, מה שהיה הגיוני וברור לכל בר-דעת המכיר את המציאות כאן. אבל מדובר במתנחלים, נכון? אותם יהודים מאיימים ומסכנים.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Let Me Know If They Are Threatening Israeli Democracy
The Jerusalem Post is reporting that
Let me know if they get blasted in our media as threatening Israeli democracy and are portrayed as violent and extremist elements.
I won't hold my breath though.
100 agricultural workers from the Galilee and Golan Heights blocked the route from Rosh Pina to Kiryat Shmona on Thursday to protest the growing crisis in the fruit growing industry in the area, Army Radio reported.
Let me know if they get blasted in our media as threatening Israeli democracy and are portrayed as violent and extremist elements.
I won't hold my breath though.
The Media Disengagement
Arutz 7 published my latest oped (which was also noted in Little Green Footballs):
On July 11, 2005, Seymour D. Reich, President of the Israel Policy Forum, an American organization, provided a unique glimpse into the thinking of those who are leading this country. In a letter to the editor published in the New York Times, Reich, a former chairman of the Presidents' Conference, informed us that Ehud Olmert, Israel's vice prime minister, spoke before an audience in New York in June and announced: "We are tired of fighting, we are tired of being courageous, we are tired of winning, we are tired of defeating our enemies."
What is probably most remarkable about Olmert's words is that they went unreported at the time, and not that they represent one of the most abject and defeatist formulations of statecraft in the history of diplomacy. Even Neville Chamberlain at Munich in 1938 was a bit more optimistic while serving up Czechoslovakia's Sudentenland.
Israel's media manages to get its information from Foreign Ministry cables, interested parties in the American Jewish establishment, politicos and officials from within the State Department and Pentagon, and from leaks directly from those who utter them or their aides. Our media delights in scandal and headlining seemingly embarrassing remarks. That such a statement, if true, and Olmert has not denied saying what Reich claims he said, was missed, or perhaps ignored, is a troubling development for this country's democracy.
It was Amnon Avramovicz, prime time Channel Two commentator and recognized razor-tongued expert of sardonic wit, who coined the now infamous "Etrog box" paradigm of Israel's media. According to Avramovicz's instructions to his fellow milieu members, the ultimate elitist clique and last stronghold of dogmatic left-liberalism, Ariel Sharon is to be cushioned, that is, untouched by criticism in the media. Until September, the month the expulsion of the Jewish population of communities in Gaza and northern Samaria is to be a fait accompli, the media is to avoid any mention of personal criminal and unethical matters that Sharon, his sons, his advisors, his employees and anyone else connected to this evacuation operation.
Avramovicz, along with many other leading dimmed lights in the media, make no secret of their support, encouragement and enthusiastic defense of Sharon's policies that serve their end as well: Israel's exit from the disputed territories. This dovetailing of goals overrides any professional, ethical or legal restriction that would otherwise act as a barrier to what Avramovicz wants done, and, a la the Olmert statement, is being done.
The "etrog box" media behavior, of course, is nothing less than a subversion of Israel's democracy. Thus, what is being done to some 10,000 Jews is described as "disengagement" when, in the first instance, it is nothing less than a depopulation of ethnic cleansing. Disengagement will not happen. Terror will continue, as the opponents of evacuation claimed, and Israel will engage the enemy. Arabs will continue to demand the 'right of return' to Isdud (Ashdod), Iskalon (Ashkelon), Bir Saba (Be'er Sheba) and Jaffa and will be engaged in their propaganda campaign on its behalf. Gazans are to enter Israel as a work force, and Israel will supply water and electricity and other services.
Moreover, the main reason that Sharon has embarked on a complete reversal of political orientation; i.e., the demographic threat to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, is now being well served by a demand of the American administration. That demand is for the "disengagement" funds of over $2 billion to go, in the main, to Arab, Bedouin and Druze projects in Israel. Only a third of the money will fund the redeployment of Israel Defense Forces troops outside the Gaza Strip.
The aid package must go, the United States demands, for the purpose of developing the Galilee and Negev. We now witness a new New Israel Fund blossoming. An American official was quoted as saying, "America is not the Jewish Agency nor the Jewish National Fund, and considers it important that the aid serves all sectors of the Israeli population." This, of course, is a worthy redistribution of Israel's national budget. What is unworthy, however, is the way America is forcing Israel to do its bidding and how the media is not helping Israelis understand what the future holds based on this element and others.
Is America still behind Sharon's "settlement blocs" program or is President George W. Bush, in referring to the 1949 armistice lines, signaling the re-division of Jerusalem? Was Sharon wise in refusing to link the London bombings with Israel after we now are informed that one of the UK bombers may have been part of the Mike's Place attack in Tel Aviv? Is the so-called demographic threat solely an external problem, resolved by evacuating Gaza, or is it internal? And how negative is it exactly?
These are but a few of the questions for which Israel's media must provide a fair and balanced forum for discussion and dialogue. Their involvement and responsibility for Israel's future is no less than that of a prime minister or the leader of the opposition. That is how a true democracy works.
On July 11, 2005, Seymour D. Reich, President of the Israel Policy Forum, an American organization, provided a unique glimpse into the thinking of those who are leading this country. In a letter to the editor published in the New York Times, Reich, a former chairman of the Presidents' Conference, informed us that Ehud Olmert, Israel's vice prime minister, spoke before an audience in New York in June and announced: "We are tired of fighting, we are tired of being courageous, we are tired of winning, we are tired of defeating our enemies."
What is probably most remarkable about Olmert's words is that they went unreported at the time, and not that they represent one of the most abject and defeatist formulations of statecraft in the history of diplomacy. Even Neville Chamberlain at Munich in 1938 was a bit more optimistic while serving up Czechoslovakia's Sudentenland.
Israel's media manages to get its information from Foreign Ministry cables, interested parties in the American Jewish establishment, politicos and officials from within the State Department and Pentagon, and from leaks directly from those who utter them or their aides. Our media delights in scandal and headlining seemingly embarrassing remarks. That such a statement, if true, and Olmert has not denied saying what Reich claims he said, was missed, or perhaps ignored, is a troubling development for this country's democracy.
It was Amnon Avramovicz, prime time Channel Two commentator and recognized razor-tongued expert of sardonic wit, who coined the now infamous "Etrog box" paradigm of Israel's media. According to Avramovicz's instructions to his fellow milieu members, the ultimate elitist clique and last stronghold of dogmatic left-liberalism, Ariel Sharon is to be cushioned, that is, untouched by criticism in the media. Until September, the month the expulsion of the Jewish population of communities in Gaza and northern Samaria is to be a fait accompli, the media is to avoid any mention of personal criminal and unethical matters that Sharon, his sons, his advisors, his employees and anyone else connected to this evacuation operation.
Avramovicz, along with many other leading dimmed lights in the media, make no secret of their support, encouragement and enthusiastic defense of Sharon's policies that serve their end as well: Israel's exit from the disputed territories. This dovetailing of goals overrides any professional, ethical or legal restriction that would otherwise act as a barrier to what Avramovicz wants done, and, a la the Olmert statement, is being done.
The "etrog box" media behavior, of course, is nothing less than a subversion of Israel's democracy. Thus, what is being done to some 10,000 Jews is described as "disengagement" when, in the first instance, it is nothing less than a depopulation of ethnic cleansing. Disengagement will not happen. Terror will continue, as the opponents of evacuation claimed, and Israel will engage the enemy. Arabs will continue to demand the 'right of return' to Isdud (Ashdod), Iskalon (Ashkelon), Bir Saba (Be'er Sheba) and Jaffa and will be engaged in their propaganda campaign on its behalf. Gazans are to enter Israel as a work force, and Israel will supply water and electricity and other services.
Moreover, the main reason that Sharon has embarked on a complete reversal of political orientation; i.e., the demographic threat to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, is now being well served by a demand of the American administration. That demand is for the "disengagement" funds of over $2 billion to go, in the main, to Arab, Bedouin and Druze projects in Israel. Only a third of the money will fund the redeployment of Israel Defense Forces troops outside the Gaza Strip.
The aid package must go, the United States demands, for the purpose of developing the Galilee and Negev. We now witness a new New Israel Fund blossoming. An American official was quoted as saying, "America is not the Jewish Agency nor the Jewish National Fund, and considers it important that the aid serves all sectors of the Israeli population." This, of course, is a worthy redistribution of Israel's national budget. What is unworthy, however, is the way America is forcing Israel to do its bidding and how the media is not helping Israelis understand what the future holds based on this element and others.
Is America still behind Sharon's "settlement blocs" program or is President George W. Bush, in referring to the 1949 armistice lines, signaling the re-division of Jerusalem? Was Sharon wise in refusing to link the London bombings with Israel after we now are informed that one of the UK bombers may have been part of the Mike's Place attack in Tel Aviv? Is the so-called demographic threat solely an external problem, resolved by evacuating Gaza, or is it internal? And how negative is it exactly?
These are but a few of the questions for which Israel's media must provide a fair and balanced forum for discussion and dialogue. Their involvement and responsibility for Israel's future is no less than that of a prime minister or the leader of the opposition. That is how a true democracy works.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Ignorance is No Excuse
Uzi Benziman writes
Benziman doesn't know his democracy and protest history.
What about Gandhi's 1930 Dandi March and broke a bizarre British law. He and 78 fellow marchers walked for 23 days over 240 miles to pick up a lump of mud and salt on the Indian coast. Thousands then made salt illegally all over the country. Within days, tens of thousands were in jail. And the marches from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. and when 2,200 protesters were arrested for demonstrating at the Nevada Test site.
Or when Bertrand Russell and the Committee of 100 at Trafalgar Square on 19 September 1961 after the home secretary banned any public procession for the 24 hours starting at midnight on Saturday 16 September. On the day itself protesters gathered in the square to march at midnight when the ban was supposed to end. Arrests began at 5.07 pm and continued throughout the evening, often with considerable police violence. At the end of the protest over 1,300 arrests had been made from a demonstration of around 10,000 people.
Let there be no mistake regarding the decision about to be made in the Gush Katif area today: It is not the fate of the disengagement that is at stake, but the ability of Israeli democracy to continue to function.
The demonstrators wish not merely to sabotage the evacuation, but to replace the government; they are using non-kosher means to achieve it..
...While Orlev's legislation initiative is a constitutional, legitimate act, the mass march on the gates of Gaza is the complete opposite...
...By using the right to freedom of protest, and by complaining about the allegedly nondemocratic reaction of the police, the demonstrators are throwing sand in the public's eyes...
Benziman doesn't know his democracy and protest history.
What about Gandhi's 1930 Dandi March and broke a bizarre British law. He and 78 fellow marchers walked for 23 days over 240 miles to pick up a lump of mud and salt on the Indian coast. Thousands then made salt illegally all over the country. Within days, tens of thousands were in jail. And the marches from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. and when 2,200 protesters were arrested for demonstrating at the Nevada Test site.
Or when Bertrand Russell and the Committee of 100 at Trafalgar Square on 19 September 1961 after the home secretary banned any public procession for the 24 hours starting at midnight on Saturday 16 September. On the day itself protesters gathered in the square to march at midnight when the ban was supposed to end. Arrests began at 5.07 pm and continued throughout the evening, often with considerable police violence. At the end of the protest over 1,300 arrests had been made from a demonstration of around 10,000 people.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Here We Go - 'Militant' Again
How can you act to destroy the state of Israel and only be a militant?
This at CNN web site:
This at CNN web site:
Palestinian Islamic Jihad is a militant group dedicated to the creation of an Islamic Palestinian state and the destruction of Israel.
Olmert - A Defeatist?
Ehud Olmert has been a remarkable source for outrageous quotations, including one about "stupid settlers" in the Jerusalem Post on June 23 this year when he said
He later amended that statement, claiming he was misunderstood, taken out of context, et al.
Well, in the New York Times letters to the editor section yesterday, Seymour Reich,
President of the Israel Policy Forum, published a missive which contained this from the mouth of Olmert:
Has Olmert joined the ranks of the defeatists?
This is not the verbiage of a Zionist leader.
"I am sick and tired of hearing from stupid settlers that Gaza and Jerusalem are the same. Gaza and Jerusalem are not the same."
He later amended that statement, claiming he was misunderstood, taken out of context, et al.
Well, in the New York Times letters to the editor section yesterday, Seymour Reich,
President of the Israel Policy Forum, published a missive which contained this from the mouth of Olmert:
We are tired of fighting, we are tired of being courageous, we are tired of winning, we are tired of defeating our enemies.
Has Olmert joined the ranks of the defeatists?
This is not the verbiage of a Zionist leader.
Wilson Doesn't Understand What Deir Yassin Was About
Jonathan Wilson published a review of Hillel Halkin's book on the NILI group and Zichron Yaakov. And he found the need, when referring to the matter of murder in mandated Palestine, to write "Jews were hacked to pieces in Hebron and Arabs massacred in Deir Yessin".
In the first instance, the Jews slaughtered in Hebron in 1929 were an innocent civilian population, many of them non-Zionists of the ultra-orthodox Hareidi community, who had made no menacing moves against their Arab neighbors for decades. The Arabs killed in Deir Yassin in 1948 recently had enjoined the aggressive war against the as-yet-not born state of Israel as they had done in riots of 1920, 1929 and 1938. They directed sniper fire at the Jewish neighborhood of Bet HaKerem but five days before the attack on their own village which had become a base for Arab irregulars from Iraq as well as local Arab bands.
There was no massacre at Deir Yassin.
There was house-to-house combat, which was not the most professional military operation ever conducted, which caused, something usually overlooked, the attacking Jewish force 5 dead and over 40 wounded. A loudspeaker had been brought in to warn the residents to leave and most did, via the Ein Kerem route. Have you ever heard of a massacre in which its victims were warned to flee by a loudspeaker?
Wild-eyed estimates of 250 dead were corrected by Arab sources by the early 1980s as no more than 110. Of these, the only claim of a "massacre" were supposedly less than 20 Arabs who were led off to a stone quarry, the story goes, and shot there.
The BBC documentary "The Fifty Years War, Israel and the Arabs", confirms that the rumors of a massacre were initiated by Arab propagandists who are named. One week later, over seventy Jews in a convoy of Hadassah Hospital medical staff were slaughterd. Now, that indeed was a massacre.
Wilson, whose earlier novel "A Palestine Affair", unsuccessfully mixed history and fiction, seems to continue a pattern of misinformation.
In the first instance, the Jews slaughtered in Hebron in 1929 were an innocent civilian population, many of them non-Zionists of the ultra-orthodox Hareidi community, who had made no menacing moves against their Arab neighbors for decades. The Arabs killed in Deir Yassin in 1948 recently had enjoined the aggressive war against the as-yet-not born state of Israel as they had done in riots of 1920, 1929 and 1938. They directed sniper fire at the Jewish neighborhood of Bet HaKerem but five days before the attack on their own village which had become a base for Arab irregulars from Iraq as well as local Arab bands.
There was no massacre at Deir Yassin.
There was house-to-house combat, which was not the most professional military operation ever conducted, which caused, something usually overlooked, the attacking Jewish force 5 dead and over 40 wounded. A loudspeaker had been brought in to warn the residents to leave and most did, via the Ein Kerem route. Have you ever heard of a massacre in which its victims were warned to flee by a loudspeaker?
Wild-eyed estimates of 250 dead were corrected by Arab sources by the early 1980s as no more than 110. Of these, the only claim of a "massacre" were supposedly less than 20 Arabs who were led off to a stone quarry, the story goes, and shot there.
The BBC documentary "The Fifty Years War, Israel and the Arabs", confirms that the rumors of a massacre were initiated by Arab propagandists who are named. One week later, over seventy Jews in a convoy of Hadassah Hospital medical staff were slaughterd. Now, that indeed was a massacre.
Wilson, whose earlier novel "A Palestine Affair", unsuccessfully mixed history and fiction, seems to continue a pattern of misinformation.
Monday, July 11, 2005
This Is How You Do It
Just after I finished putting up the previous entry on the lack of understanding of correct nonviolent methods. this below came across my screen. It's from the Gush Shalom list, those people who are protesting the fence construction who have so far taken out one soldier's eye and indirectly led another Border policeman to his death when he fell off a cliff and was stoned by nonviolent Arabs.
Anyway, it shows what can be done without much fanfare.
Anyway, it shows what can be done without much fanfare.
"An armoured jeep was parked across the road, and in front of it were five soldiers and an officer. Quite sufficient to block any vehicle - but we have left our bus inconspicuously parked near the giant settlement of Kiryat Sefer and continued on foot, easily by-passing the blockading soldiers. The lieutenant could be clearly heard, speaking into his communicator: "Too many people, sir, we could do nothing"...
I Don't Think They Understand Nonviolent Protest
I found this in Ha'Aretz:
I think I have a little experience in nonviolent protests.
One can block, one can sit-down, one can take over an office and prevent normal work from proceeding, one can offer an alternative service, but one cannot "grab a tent pole and move it".
What I have tried to suggest to anyone listening is a bit of pre-march planning so that on the march, if the marchers are blocked, they should regroup, organize themselves into rows of, say, 100, put 50 meters between themselves, and them rebegin marching.
The rationale?
There are just so many soldiers and policemen and it actually is easier to control a large crowd. Once the group breaks up, more security forces are needed to control. If stopped, the row veers off - one to the right, one to the left, one straight ahead.
If stopped, the group sits down - it does not forcefully push ahead. If this happens, within an hour, there will be rows and rows of hundreds of marchers all over an area of several square dunams and eventually, there will not be enough security personnel to control and then some are going to be able to continue walking.
Basically, chaos will break out. This is in a wide-open area remember, not your downtown street. Of course, though, eventually, there is the entrance into Gush Katif, and that's where it should all come to a halt, one way or the other.
The National Home (Bayit Leumi) movement, responsible for recent road obstructions, announced Sunday evening a new mission, "Displacing the displacement camp," calling for demonstrators and their supporters to come to the Gama camp, an army base outside the Gaza Strip where forces that will take part in the disengagement will reside.
The organization's announcement calls for the crowds expected to march within a week to Gush Katif to reach the Gama camp, where "each one of them will take the rod of one tent and move it a few hundred meters from the camp."
The announcement also states that this action will terminate the "organizational ability of the expulsion forces for a long period."
"This kind of action has many advantages. First of all, it is in line with all of the criteria of nonviolent civil disobedience. It will not be violent, and it is directed precisely at the regime representatives designated to execute the crime," the declaration said.
I think I have a little experience in nonviolent protests.
One can block, one can sit-down, one can take over an office and prevent normal work from proceeding, one can offer an alternative service, but one cannot "grab a tent pole and move it".
What I have tried to suggest to anyone listening is a bit of pre-march planning so that on the march, if the marchers are blocked, they should regroup, organize themselves into rows of, say, 100, put 50 meters between themselves, and them rebegin marching.
The rationale?
There are just so many soldiers and policemen and it actually is easier to control a large crowd. Once the group breaks up, more security forces are needed to control. If stopped, the row veers off - one to the right, one to the left, one straight ahead.
If stopped, the group sits down - it does not forcefully push ahead. If this happens, within an hour, there will be rows and rows of hundreds of marchers all over an area of several square dunams and eventually, there will not be enough security personnel to control and then some are going to be able to continue walking.
Basically, chaos will break out. This is in a wide-open area remember, not your downtown street. Of course, though, eventually, there is the entrance into Gush Katif, and that's where it should all come to a halt, one way or the other.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Poll Idea
Someone wants to do a poll, and use it as an instrument to convince the populace that their prime minister is not to be trusted.
I think this series of questions not only will elicit information about the thinking of those polled, but will hopefully plant doubt into their minds so that the very act of conducting the poll and the gathering on statistical information will bring about a change of thinking.
Here's how I would phrase the questions and in what order:-
1. Do you support the so-called Disengagement plan?
2. If yes, did you vote for Amram Mitzna in the last election or Ariel Sharon?
3. Do you think PM Sharon was right to fire two ministers even before they
had a chance to vote in the government on the Disengagement Plan?
4. Do you think that the demographic situation is the real reason for
Sharon promoting this plan?
5. Do you think terror will cease or decrease after Disengagement?
6. Do you think America will stop pressuring Israel for further retreats from
the territories?
7. Do you think the Arabs have given up on the "right of return"?
8. If you have answered 'no' to the last four questions, do you still support
the so-called Disengagement plan and why?
9. Dop you think the media should term the plan as one of expulsion or uprooting
rather than Disengagement?
10. Do you believe a national referendum should have been conducted?
I think this series of questions not only will elicit information about the thinking of those polled, but will hopefully plant doubt into their minds so that the very act of conducting the poll and the gathering on statistical information will bring about a change of thinking.
Here's how I would phrase the questions and in what order:-
1. Do you support the so-called Disengagement plan?
2. If yes, did you vote for Amram Mitzna in the last election or Ariel Sharon?
3. Do you think PM Sharon was right to fire two ministers even before they
had a chance to vote in the government on the Disengagement Plan?
4. Do you think that the demographic situation is the real reason for
Sharon promoting this plan?
5. Do you think terror will cease or decrease after Disengagement?
6. Do you think America will stop pressuring Israel for further retreats from
the territories?
7. Do you think the Arabs have given up on the "right of return"?
8. If you have answered 'no' to the last four questions, do you still support
the so-called Disengagement plan and why?
9. Dop you think the media should term the plan as one of expulsion or uprooting
rather than Disengagement?
10. Do you believe a national referendum should have been conducted?
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
A Tale of Rebbe Nachman
As we proceed towards disengagement, I am reminded of this tale of Rebbe Nachman of Bratzlav.
However, I always thought the ending should have been "for we will look at each other and the sign will tell us we were once sane."
Now, though, that the 'safe passage' idea is back (the route that will facilitate the transfer of war materiel into Judea & Samaria), and that the PA's pretty boy Dahlan wants two more kilometers of Israel (and the destruction of Netiv Ha'Asarah)and the Hamas trumpets the next stage of Kassam attacks to hit Afula, Hadera, et al., I realize that the best our politicans can do is recall that they are crazy. To remember and comprehend the concept of sanity - that is all gone.
Once upon a time, the King turned to his beloved advisor and said,
"I see in my star-gazing visions that the wheat growing this year will cause those who eat of it to go crazy. What shall we do?"
"Let us prepare enough wheat from other sources so that we won't have to eat of this poisoned wheat."
"But then," replied the King, "all the world will be crazy and only we will be sane. In this situation and because will probably won't have enough wheat, we will also have to eat of the wheat."
"But I propose that we place a mark on our foreheads so that we shall know that we are crazy for we will look at each other and the sign will tell us we're crazy."
However, I always thought the ending should have been "for we will look at each other and the sign will tell us we were once sane."
Now, though, that the 'safe passage' idea is back (the route that will facilitate the transfer of war materiel into Judea & Samaria), and that the PA's pretty boy Dahlan wants two more kilometers of Israel (and the destruction of Netiv Ha'Asarah)and the Hamas trumpets the next stage of Kassam attacks to hit Afula, Hadera, et al., I realize that the best our politicans can do is recall that they are crazy. To remember and comprehend the concept of sanity - that is all gone.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Mass Organizing Tactics
Given the inability of certain leadership groups and people to plan out a proper protest campaign here, I think that Saul Alinsky's principles need repeating. These are excerpted from Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky, pp. 126-140 and they are classic.
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Tactics mean doing what you can with what you have. Tactics are those conscious deliberate acts by which human beings live with each other and deal with the world around them. In the world of give and take, tactics is the art of how to take and how to give. Here our concern is with the tactic of taking; how the Have-Nots can take power away from the Haves.
For an elementary illustration of tactics, take parts of your face as the point of reference; your eyes, your ears, and your nose. First the eyes; if you have organized a vast, mass-based people's organization, you can parade it visibly before the enemy and openly show your power. Second the ears; if your organization is small in numbers, then...conceal the members in the dark but raise a din and clamor that will make the listener believe that your organization numbers many more than it does. Third, the nose; if your organization is too tiny even for noise, stink up the place.
Always remember the first rule of power tactics:
Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.
The second rule is: Never go outside the experience of your people. When an action is outside the experience of the people, the result is confusion, fear, and retreat.
The third rule is: Wherever possible go outside of the experience of the enemy. Here you want to cause confusion, fear, and retreat.
The fourth rule is: Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules. You can kill them with this, for they can no more obey their own rules than the Christian church can live up to Christianity.
The fourth rule carries within it the fifth rule: Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counterattack ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, who then react to your advantage.
The sixth rule is: A good tactic is one that your people enjoy. If your people are not having a ball doing it, there is something very wrong with the tactic.
The seventh rule is: A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag. man can sustain militant interest in any issue for only a limited time, after which it becomes a ritualistic commitment...
The eighth rule: Keep the pressure on, with different tactics and actions, and utilize all events of the period for your purpose.
The ninth rule: The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.
The tenth rule: The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition.
The eleventh rule is: If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through into its counterside; this is based on the principle that every positive has its negative...
The twelfth rule: The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative. you cannot risk being trapped by the enemy in his sudden agreement with your demand and saying "You're right--we don't know what to do about this issue. Now you tell us."
The thirteenth rule: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.
In conflict tactics there are certain rules that the organizer should always regard as universalities. One is that the opposition must be singled out as the target and "frozen." By this I mean that in a complex, interrelated, urban society, it becomes increasingly difficult to single out who is to blame for any particular evil. There is a constant, and somewhat legitimate, passing of the buck....
It should be borne in mind that the target is always trying to shift responsibility to get out of being the target....
One of the criteria in picking your target is the target's vulnerability--where do you have the power to start? Furthermore, the target can always say, "Why do you center on me when there are others to blame as well?" When you "freeze the target," you disregard these arguments and, for the moment, all others to blame.
Then, as you zero in and freeze your target and carry out your attack, all of the "others" come out of the woodwork very soon. They become visible by their support of the target.
The other important point in the choosing of a target is that it must be a personification, not something general and abstract such as a community's segregated practices or a major corporation or City Hall. It is not possible to develop the necessary hostility against, say, City Hall, which after all is a concrete, physical, inanimate structure, or against a corporation, which has no soul or identity, or a public school administration, which again is an inanimate system.
===================
Tactics mean doing what you can with what you have. Tactics are those conscious deliberate acts by which human beings live with each other and deal with the world around them. In the world of give and take, tactics is the art of how to take and how to give. Here our concern is with the tactic of taking; how the Have-Nots can take power away from the Haves.
For an elementary illustration of tactics, take parts of your face as the point of reference; your eyes, your ears, and your nose. First the eyes; if you have organized a vast, mass-based people's organization, you can parade it visibly before the enemy and openly show your power. Second the ears; if your organization is small in numbers, then...conceal the members in the dark but raise a din and clamor that will make the listener believe that your organization numbers many more than it does. Third, the nose; if your organization is too tiny even for noise, stink up the place.
Always remember the first rule of power tactics:
Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.
The second rule is: Never go outside the experience of your people. When an action is outside the experience of the people, the result is confusion, fear, and retreat.
The third rule is: Wherever possible go outside of the experience of the enemy. Here you want to cause confusion, fear, and retreat.
The fourth rule is: Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules. You can kill them with this, for they can no more obey their own rules than the Christian church can live up to Christianity.
The fourth rule carries within it the fifth rule: Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counterattack ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, who then react to your advantage.
The sixth rule is: A good tactic is one that your people enjoy. If your people are not having a ball doing it, there is something very wrong with the tactic.
The seventh rule is: A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag. man can sustain militant interest in any issue for only a limited time, after which it becomes a ritualistic commitment...
The eighth rule: Keep the pressure on, with different tactics and actions, and utilize all events of the period for your purpose.
The ninth rule: The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.
The tenth rule: The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition.
The eleventh rule is: If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through into its counterside; this is based on the principle that every positive has its negative...
The twelfth rule: The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative. you cannot risk being trapped by the enemy in his sudden agreement with your demand and saying "You're right--we don't know what to do about this issue. Now you tell us."
The thirteenth rule: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.
In conflict tactics there are certain rules that the organizer should always regard as universalities. One is that the opposition must be singled out as the target and "frozen." By this I mean that in a complex, interrelated, urban society, it becomes increasingly difficult to single out who is to blame for any particular evil. There is a constant, and somewhat legitimate, passing of the buck....
It should be borne in mind that the target is always trying to shift responsibility to get out of being the target....
One of the criteria in picking your target is the target's vulnerability--where do you have the power to start? Furthermore, the target can always say, "Why do you center on me when there are others to blame as well?" When you "freeze the target," you disregard these arguments and, for the moment, all others to blame.
Then, as you zero in and freeze your target and carry out your attack, all of the "others" come out of the woodwork very soon. They become visible by their support of the target.
The other important point in the choosing of a target is that it must be a personification, not something general and abstract such as a community's segregated practices or a major corporation or City Hall. It is not possible to develop the necessary hostility against, say, City Hall, which after all is a concrete, physical, inanimate structure, or against a corporation, which has no soul or identity, or a public school administration, which again is an inanimate system.
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