Category Archives: Israel
Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira arrested for book, The King’s Torah
Last year the JTA published an article about Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira. I commented on it here. Turns out he was arrested for the book for suspicion of incitement. You can read about that on JTA’s site here.
Even though no charges were pressed and he was released, it’s nice to see the consensus held by the authorities about his work. Keep in mind this isn’t the only time he’s gotten in trouble. JTA also reported that he was arrested in January because 5 of his yeshiva students were charged for committing arson on a mosque in Yasuf back in December.
I mention this again to show the difference in attitude Israelis hold against their own when confronted with terrorist mentalities. It’s a stark contrast from the reactions we see in the Muslim world.
Barry Rubin on the Flotilla Problem
The incident at the Israeli blockade of Gaza’s seaport was not caused by Israel’s excessive use of force against peaceful activists. It was not even caused by acceptable use of force by the Israeli commandos. The violence on the ship was caused by a terrorist organization disguising a jihad mission as humanitarian aid to discredit Israel and incite violence and hatred against her. In short, it was a marketing ploy.
Barry Rubin has written several articles about the incident since the entire debacle began. Yesterday I read one of his best articles to date, Humanitarian Aid Ship? Nope, Jihad Ship: No Aid for Gazans on the Mavi Marmara (link at bottom). I strongly urge you to read it because it not only gives an excellent summary of the incident to date, but also provides links for factual reference. Here’s a preview to whet your appetite,
How many truckloads of humanitarian aid on the seven flotilla ships? Thirty-four plus 2000 tons of cement. How many truckloads did Israel deliver to Gaza that same week? Answer: 484.
Would the materials carried on some of the ships help the people of Gaza? Sure. There were wheelchairs, mobility scooters for the disabled, crutches, hospital beds, medicine, and clothing, and hospital equipment.
But if the intention was simply to deliver these items they could have been unloaded in Egypt and everything (including the militants on board carrying lots of money) could have gone into Gaza. Or they could have been unloaded in Israel, inspected, and anything not connected with terrorism could have gone into Gaza.
But the goal, of course, was to destroy the blockade, help Hamas poliically, and make Israel look bad.
It’s a shame that Israel has to go on such a strong defensive because the media provides more opinion than fact, but Barry Rubin’s work is stellar and a great effort to clearing Israel’s name. Please pass the article on to your friends and family and subscribe to his blog at http://rubinreports.blogspot.com.
Humanitarian Aid Ship? Nope, Jihad Ship: No Aid for Gazans on the Mavi Marmara
Obama Administration Urges Israel to Sign Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
So much for electricity
Practically moments before Netanyahu is to make a reconciliatory visit to Obama in Washington, he cancels because of the recent problems in Gaza. That certainly has its own problems and is reason enough for Netanyahu to return home, but I do believe there’s another reason for it as well.
The RubinReports reported last night that the U.S. is urging Israel to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. As many problems with Gaza and Israel’s attack on the aid ship (which is another article in and of itself), this action by the Obama administration sets a new precedent in our dealings with Israel.
Take a moment to read the article here, but here’s a quote to which you should pay attention,
Are Americans in general and American Jews in particular going to persist in believing that this administration really does view Israel as a good friend and a close ally? It’s hard to believe, though of course many will. Perhaps the next round or the one after that will convince them otherwise.
This administration has not been friendly towards Israel from the beginning. The Obama’s relation with Israel is like that of a schoolyard bully. If there’s one thing we all learned in elementary school is that a bully is not to be trusted. Do not believe that this administration is friends with Israel—everything it does should tell you otherwise, not what you hear in conferences!
I don’t want to hear the U.S. say we’re allies with Israel anymore—it’s time this administration repents for its treatment of Israel and restore relations to what they have been.
Tensions Mount Between the U.S. and Israel
In response to this article from The Atlantic, I ask you to watch this short movie, I Am Israel.
Iranian soccer federation mistakenly greets Israel
So I read this today and it killed me. This is probably the funniest thing I’ve read about Iran in a long time. Not that Iran is a funny topic, mind you, it’s just that I read this article and I hear so many funny things.
Basically, Israel was mistakenly not omitted from the New Year greeting cards. I can see it now… “Dear Zionist entity, the Republic of Iran wishes you a happy and healthy 2010.”
Yeah, I laughed out loud about this one. Read the article and tell me if you think it’s as funny as I do.
Iranian soccer federation mistakenly greets Israel | JTA – Jewish & Israel News
I’m sorry… who’s the victim?
The JTA is reporting the following story… a Palestinian stabs a couple of Israeli women (couldn’t fight a man I guess…), gets shot, and then an Israeli settler (man) runs over him a few times with his car. Sure, the guy didn’t have to run over the Palestinian, he was already down, but I can’t say I blame him—maybe he was a husband, father, brother of one of the women? Watch the Al Jazeera video for the surprise twist.
This is absolute insanity when an aggressor (not to mention a cowardly one) gets a taste of his own medicine and he’s portrayed as the victim. This makes me sick. Of course, this could be another incident like the picture that fed the liberal media machine. We’ll see.
Ahmadinejad to Obama: Iran or Israel
President Obama has had several opportunities to draw the line in the sand with Iran this past year: the ongoing nuclear problem, the ‘election’ protests, and now U.S. hikers under arrest for espionage. In spite of these opportunities to show Iran and the world where the U.S. stands in its relationship, it is Ahmadinejad calling the shots.
Israel has been a strong U.S. ally—if not the strongest. While Obama has taken his share of cheap shots at Israel, I don’t believe he will surrender that relationship for one that is only a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I think he will do one of two things: 1. Explain he can’t take sides because of international relations, or something along these lines. 2. Express strong support for Israel. I hope he does the second, but I think he will do the first.
In the unlikely event that the U.S. severs diplomatic relations with Israel watch the fall of the U.S. commence.
What do you think will come of this?
Cantor wants Jews to act before it is ‘too late’
Jews need to get more vocal and more active. With the increase of threats and action against Israel and Jews we need to do more to stop those who want to kill us in this generation.
via Cantor wants Jews to act before it is ‘too late’ | JTA – Jewish & Israel News.
Interesting News about Israel
Here are a few interesting pieces of news pertaining to Israel that are worth a read. All articles are from JTA. Click the link to read the full article.
Obama official: Israel should sign non-nuclear pact
This article addresses a U.S. non-official request for Israel to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The poser with this is that it would confirm Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons. If you want to read about the NPT, check it out here.
Congressmen call for Gaza aid conditions
This brief article addresses a letter sent to Secretary of State Clinton by two Democratic congressmen. They request that terms need to be set for the Palestinians to receive the first 1/3rd of a $900 Million aid package (incindentally, this was part of the ‘stimulus’ package, but that’s another story…).
If the U.S. is going to follow through and actually give this terrorist state money, it must have conditions placed and met before a penny can be sent. Why we would do this befuddles me. It not only won’t go to the people it would be intended to help, but it would be used by it’s corrupt, terrorist government to fight Israel, thereby effectively placing the U.S. in a threatening posture towards Israel. Moreover, it would work to undo all the work Israel has been doing to combat the terrorism.
Israeli police seize ancient Hebrew scroll
This is a great article about a piece of Israel’s history. This scroll is a piece of evidence proving Jewish existence in the land contested by Palestinians. The irony to this ‘proof’ is that those who need it would never accept it. Anyway, it’s a good read, check it out.
