Sunday, December 27, 2009

Double Edged

The US government has asked Israel to detail its operation in which Israeli Special Forces killed three terrorists who were responsible for the Thursday killing of a Jew near the community of Shavei Shomron in the Shomron region. This because the Arabs claim the terrorists killed were unarmed and of course, needless to say, completely innocent.

The fact is that in one of the places 2 M-16s were found and that these guns have been proven to be the weapons involved in the murder, means nothing, after all we are talking about upstanding citizens of the “Palestinian Authority”, and security personnel also, who may have been trained and equipped by the US, you know Dayton’s Boys.

Using a double edge sword in dealing with problems has its advantages and disadvantages. Yes, if used properly, it is a far more efficient weapon, however, if used sloppily and carelessly, it will often hurt and injure the one who is wielding it. The US is “checking Israel’s Tzitzit”, or sticking their nose a bit too far in Israel’s personal business, regarding its protection of its citizens and how Israel deals with not just enemies in words, but enemies in actions. I haven’t heard a US reaction to the murder yet that “blasts” the PLO regarding the involvement of its own arm in this heinous crime. We read how the “Palestinian” Security or Army arrested over 120 suspects in this murder, much to the praise of the IDF, yet of course released them shortly after. It is quite obvious and understood that the new Arab Army would never arrest one of its own over the mere killing of a Jew. I really do understand this and agree with them, this would cause a major rift and dismay among the Arab population of Judea and Samaria. Imagine it to be considered a crime to kill Jews, this would go against everything they have learned, and are still learning in grammar school.

Lets get back to that Double Standard, sorry I mean Double Edged sword that the US is using regarding Israel. There they are, all the State Department cronies and President Obama’s advisors all in a tizzy over Israel eliminating some murdering terrorists, while they wont even look into their own actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. I know it’s a different story over there, so many are dying there anyway, who cares, the Arabs don’t, the Human Rights people don’t, so why should the State Department or Prez Obama, I mean he doesn’t even care enough about Darfur to act. But Jews killing their enemies…. whoa! This is not acceptable, after all who did these guys kill anyway, a settler, what was he doing there in the first place, the nerve!

What goes around comes around, and as long as the US plays this game using a double-edged sword, mark my words, they will be cut. The Arabs they think they are defending will turn around and bite them in the fleshy part of democracy, probably sooner than later. The rights they think they are defending will come around and will shout back at them from the rest of the world, probably from the jesters at the sitcom of the “World Court” and “United damNation”.

I am saddened that the US is making a mockery of itself, it can be a great nation and leader again. The snickers and sneers heard around the world regarding the US upset me, I guess they are filtered out from Washington DC, they probably can’t be heard over the shovels in State and the Defense Departments.

Never less, nothing new, nothing surprising in the US reaction over the killing of a Jew in Israel, just wait how they will come down on Israel when we have to defend ourselves again from Hizbulla in the North, and Hamas in the south. Until then, we will continue to do what we do, and hopefully will return to be the terror of anyone who harms a Jew, anywhere in the world.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Those were the days

Growing up as a Conservative Jew in America during the 70’s was one of the richest experiences one could have as a young Jewish American. USY and Camp Ramah were maybe the best tools available to combat assimilation, build a strong Jewish identity and promote a strong and Jewish Israel, including Aliyah. We were taught how Israel “Liberated’ Judea and Samaria in 1967, returning our historical homeland to the Jews. We all listened as we were told how Israel must be settled, all of Israel, and how we must not let the Arabs ever take it from us again. Tales of Jewish strength, were told to us, over and over again, the likes of Yoni Netanyahu z”l and other IDF figures became our heroes, stories of the settlers from the beginning of the State till the present (mid 70’s) stoked the embers of Zionism within us, and this included all of Israel. We were taught to stand up to our enemies, and taught who our enemies were, those who want our land. We viewed the people of the Galil, Judea and Samaria and the Negev as the modern day “Halutzim” of Israel. All of this with no political messages, and no political parties. Conservative Judaism was about Judaism and making an effort at becoming a good Jew. We learned how to keep Kashrut and Shabbat, and enjoyed it. When politicians from Israel came to speak, they came from all parties and all parts of Israel, equally, and spoke of Israel and not which party to back. When USY and Ramah summer trips came to Israel, they went all over Israel, and didn’t delete our historical homeland from their itineraries, after all we were taught to be strong and that Israel, was our land. This was taught, again, without a political agenda. I still remember the excited discussions of my friends from the US, visiting here in Israel with USY or Camp Ramah, about the places they visited, about the connection they felt, the envy some had that I made Aliyah.

We were free to choose what we thought about Israel’s policies and politics. Leaders of political movements did not manipulate us, after all this was “Conservative Judaism”, where they wanted us to think for ourselves. For many of us, we grew in strength and identity. Some became more observant, some became more Zionist, and all of this came from being taught how we are a part of “Am Yisrael” and “Eretz Yisrael”.

Nowadays it seems there is a different picture. If you are a Conservative Jew and an active part of the movement, there are lines in the sand. There are political movements in Israel that may and may not be backed, at least in public. Group trips may no longer go all over Israel, “Safety”, being the excuse, Political Agendas, being the reason, Fear, the stench, and a lack of a strong Jewish Zionist identity being the result.

How is it today that politics have infiltrated so deep into this once glorious movement that it now allows it and its members to be political pawns. That Conservative Jews are afraid to travel the roads of the heartland of Israel while others, from around the world do so freely is very strange. How can the leadership of this movement hope to inspire its members to expand their horizons while they put blinders on? Conservative Judaism used to be the flagship of American Judaism, because it was based on a philosophy and not Political Correctness, or being left or right.

Maybe this is one of the reasons, so many have been leaving the movement. The political undertones heard throughout Conservative Judaism have been alienating many who grew up as I did, those who heard the same message, those who were educated and then given the right to decide on their own, from a point of knowledge, not ignorance.

If Conservative Judaism wants to become a viable movement again, it must return to what it once was, a movement that embraced Judaism and Israel without politics and politicians. When you cut parts of Israel out of your life, you cut more Jews away from your movement.

In the coming years, the Jewish people living outside of Israel are going to need more strength than ever. You need Israel now more than ever, all of Israel, no lines, no borders.

We are here for you.

Those were the days

Growing up as a Conservative Jew in America during the 70’s was one of the richest experiences one could have as a young Jewish American. USY and Camp Ramah were maybe the best tools available to combat assimilation, build a strong Jewish identity and promote a strong and Jewish Israel, including Aliyah. We were taught how Israel “Liberated’ Judea and Samaria in 1967, returning our historical homeland to the Jews. We all listened as we were told how Israel must be settled, all of Israel, and how we must not let the Arabs ever take it from us again. Tales of Jewish strength, were told to us, over and over again, the likes of Yoni Netanyahu z”l and other IDF figures became our heroes, stories of the settlers from the beginning of the State till the present (mid 70’s) stoked the embers of Zionism within us, and this included all of Israel. We were taught to stand up to our enemies, and taught who our enemies were, those who want our land. We viewed the people of the Galil, Judea and Samaria and the Negev as the modern day “Halutzim” of Israel. All of this with no political messages, and no political parties. Conservative Judaism was about Judaism and making an effort at becoming a good Jew. We learned how to keep Kashrut and Shabbat, and enjoyed it. When politicians from Israel came to speak, they came from all parties and all parts of Israel, equally, and spoke of Israel and not which party to back. When USY and Ramah summer trips came to Israel, they went all over Israel, and didn’t delete our historical homeland from their itineraries, after all we were taught to be strong and that Israel, was our land. This was taught, again, without a political agenda. I still remember the excited discussions of my friends from the US, visiting here in Israel with USY or Camp Ramah, about the places they visited, about the connection they felt, the envy some had that I made Aliyah.

We were free to choose what we thought about Israel’s policies and politics. Leaders of political movements did not manipulate us, after all this was “Conservative Judaism”, where they wanted us to think for ourselves. For many of us, we grew in strength and identity. Some became more observant, some became more Zionist, and all of this came from being taught how we are a part of “Am Yisrael” and “Eretz Yisrael”.

Nowadays it seems there is a different picture. If you are a Conservative Jew and an active part of the movement, there are lines in the sand. There are political movements in Israel that may and may not be backed, at least in public. Group trips may no longer go all over Israel, “Safety”, being the excuse, Political Agendas, being the reason, Fear, the stench, and a lack of a strong Jewish Zionist identity being the result.

How is it today that politics have infiltrated so deep into this once glorious movement that it now allows it and its members to be political pawns. That Conservative Jews are afraid to travel the roads of the heartland of Israel while others, from around the world do so freely is very strange. How can the leadership of this movement hope to inspire its members to expand their horizons while they put blinders on? Conservative Judaism used to be the flagship of American Judaism, because it was based on a philosophy and not Political Correctness, or being left or right.

Maybe this is one of the reasons, so many have been leaving the movement. The political undertones heard throughout Conservative Judaism have been alienating many who grew up as I did, those who heard the same message, those who were educated and then given the right to decide on their own, from a point of knowledge, not ignorance.

If Conservative Judaism wants to become a viable movement again, it must return to what it once was, a movement that embraced Judaism and Israel without politics and politicians. When you cut parts of Israel out of your life, you cut more Jews away from your movement.

In the coming years, the Jewish people living outside of Israel are going to need more strength than ever. You need Israel now more than ever, all of Israel, no lines, no borders.

We are here for you.

Friday, December 18, 2009

An Early Response

Everyone, start preparing your anti Israel responses and press statements now, save time and be efficient. Write your articles and prepare the UN reports now, get a jump on everyone. One of the newest countries in the Middle East, Gazastan, and its leaders stated they will continue their fight against Israel until they establish “Palestine” on all of the land. This week Israeli media reported an update regarding the rearming of Hamas in Gazastan. They now have missiles that supposedly reach up to 80 kilometers, adding Dizengoff Center and other nice places to the inventory of targets. We all know it is coming the question is when?

The IDF has been arresting Hamas activists in Yehuda and Shomron at an increased rate as Dayton’s boys are having some difficulty. Now that they see Hamas gaining power, they don’t want to shoot themselves in the foot, or deficate in their own bed. Abbas is feeling the hot breath of Iza Din Kassam on his neck. The arms flow continues in Yehuda and Shomron, as they draw their own lines of engagement prior to a changing of the guard. Our media has been publicizing prior offers to the Arabs by previous Israeli leaders regarding “Land for Peace”, and now that Israelis are understanding better that the Arabs of Yehuda, Shomron and Gaza are not interested in peace, the consensus is changing. Exercises are being held in order to prepare for these scenarios. Soon, our politicians might even reflect this change, who knows?

So now that we know the next round is on the way, and will be more brutal, it is best to prepare your anti Israel statements now. You better make them good, because you are going to find a different audience in Israel than the last time. More and more Israelis are waking to the fact that there is no partner for peace in this region.

Boring, yawn, change the channel please, we have heard it all before. The reign of violence will continue in Israel, between Arabs and Jews for a long time to come. I read an add for a Palestinian Peace Group, that will be long lived, why do you think Arabs try to escape the Middle East, they must know something we don’t.

I have a theory that will set everything back on track. No it does not include a building freeze or throwing Jews out of our land, I know, I’ve just lost half of you. It doesn’t include throwing the Arabs out of our land, oops, there goes the other half of you.

The world around uses Israel as its playground for everything, and I mean everything.

“Bleeding Heart Liberals” looking for a cause to alleviate some trauma they suffered in their youth, have it all here. They can pick from a plethora of mushrooms growing in manure. Imagine, you can be a world-renowned author and go down to Gaza and support women’s rights and protest Israel’s “Human rights” violations in one of the most oppressive societies known today. Even if you can’t find friends to come with you on your holy mission to save the poor “Palestinians”, for a few bucks, which you can easily raise at home in the US, or just ask the EU, you will find plenty of extras, both Israeli and Arab to play out your fantasy. They will drive tractors, plant trees, and film and confront the “Evil Jews” as you “kvell” to high heaven.

Parents give you too much or not enough religion as kids? Come to Israel where you can hate your own people or self. You can go against everything that was pushed down your throat during your younger years. There is even a newspaper in English that will publish any and all the hatred you can spew, in the name of Intellectuality, and Equal Rights. You will always be welcome in some of the best clubs in Tel Aviv. Where else can you find entire Political parties dedicated to taking the Jew out of Judaism while they ignore their own heritage and embrace those that hate them more than themselves, only in Israel!

Is the little terrorist in you asking for a little “action”? Well you are in luck again, with your foreign passport, you can come in and “get involved”. Imagine, living the life you have only seen in the movies, collect intelligence, transport weapons and terrorists while posing as a peace activist, and you thought ambulances could only be used for sick people. Get training, network and meet new friends before you go off to fight the infidel, either in Iraq, Afghanistan or back home. Where else to can you get these offers under one roof?

Do you want a front row seat for the “End of the World”? This is the place, put on your robes, turbans and grab your Shofar ‘cause your destiny awaits, it is time to reveal yourself to the world. Remember, if you don’t fit in at home, you will always fit in here, somewhere.

So that is the idea, from now on, we charge everyone from the outside who wants to interfere with our lives here. You go to an amusement park, you pay admission, why not here? It will not be cheap, this I can promise.

You get on a ride, you pay, just like at the Amusement Park. If you want the extended stay, you have to help the maintenance people here fix what gets broken.

Governments that wish to be involved will have to support improved sewage projects and systems to enable us to remove all of the “waste” they create and leave.

The best part about this park is you get to leave whenever you want to and don’t worry - our crew will clean up after you.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

A Point of View

Many have asked that I give an update and my view of the Security situation in Yehuda and Shomron today. Not an easy task, due to the many mitigating factors that change every time a Government official - either here in Israel, an Arab or American - sneezes.

The simplest way to put it is that we are here in our communities in our heartland and there are many Arabs that want us out, (not all of the Arabs wish to see the Jews leave this area). It is important to remember, that the want and desire to be “Jew Free”, doesn’t apply just to Yehuda and Shomron, but all of Israel, this view is not held by all Arabs, but certainly most.

It is impossible to discuss the Security situation in Yehuda and Shomron without first reminding everybody that this conflict did not start yesterday. Whereas this is not the place to get into a history lesson, it is the place to remind everybody that ignorance regarding the conflict is the wrong foot to stand on. To quote a friend, “the Jewish –Arab conflict started when Jews decided to fight back”.

I will discuss the situation today. Since Oslo, we have witnessed the birth of a new Arab army in the Middle East, that of the “Palestinian Authority”, however this is not the only Arab Military body in this region. There are many branches to this tree, with each branch spreading out to even more factions. Fatah itself is divided into many factions based on regions and philosophies, i.e. Nablus, Ramallah and so on. The same principal applies to Hamas, of course from there we can add on the Jihad Islami, PFLP, Al Qaeda, the list goes on. Each of these “Units” claims their own agenda and “work load”, but they do work also in accordance to the strategical and political whims of the two (Fatah and Hamas) leaderships.

The Operational and Tactical strength of all of these units has greatly increased and over the recent months and years and continues to rise to the point where they can be and are considered a “tangible” threat today - not just to our communities, but to the IDF as well. This due to the enormous funding, instruction and training they have and continue to receive from the rest of the Western world. It is no secret how the US, England and Canada have been involved with the upgrading of this new Arab army to it’s current status. Lt General Keith Dayton, (The US man in charge of this venture) indeed has what to be proud of.

Besides all of the “regulars”, there still exist numerous “independents” in the field, who are ready to attack at any minute they deem necessary and this presents an entirely separate threat level that must be not be ignored. Often downplayed in the mainstream media and International Threat Assessments, these “individual” cells have taken many lives and caused no fewer casualties than their bigger and better organized brothers. Adding to this is the fact that arms continue to flow in from various sources and continue to spread throughout the region due to the opening of the roadblocks (as a sign of good faith to the US). This all leads to an extremely volatile situation in Yehuda and Shomron. The IDF is still operating in order to capture terrorists, but these operations have been slashed due to an increasingly confused political situation on the ground. The uniforms have also changed, so not every terrorist is a “terrorist” anymore, He/She might now be a member of a new army or political wing making arrest more complicated.

Over the past year we have be seeing a significant increase in terrorist activity, although it is measured and restrained, never less it is present and enables us to gauge some of the risk and threat factors that we are and will be up against. The IDF and Israeli Security Services, Thank Gd, have been very successful in thwarting most of these attacks. Many of these incidents are probes, being used to measure our response. Where they may seem “trivial” enough, such as a stoning or Molotov cocktail, they supply the Arabs with much needed information regarding our security apparatus. Probes and attacks into the Communities have increased with a few ending in murderous rampages. Most thankfully are thwarted before any severe harm occurs, whether it is by the IDF or the communities’ own First Response Teams.

We are witnessing serious efforts by the Arabs in the gathering of Intelligence about the communities, and their increased efforts and success at sabotaging many industrial and agricultural ventures. While we are enjoying a relative lull in terror compared to the earlier days of the Intifada, most Security Analysts have discussed and stated that this is simply the “quiet before the storm”. Indeed the infighting going on between Hamas and Fatah serves us well but is also fueling the future flames that we will inevitably be pointed towards us in the not to distant future. Every day there are incidents, most that go unreported, but they do occur and people do get hurt. The efforts that the Jewish communities of Yehuda and Shomron have been showing beyond doubt has had a very positive affect on keeping terrorism down, not just in Yehuda and Shomron, but all of Israel. Though this is not politically correct to report, it is however a very big part of the picture in Israel.

This being a very short and minimal summary of the Arab build up, we can now move on to the Jewish side of the coin. Bear in mind that there are subjects that I will intentionally leave out due to security sensitivity regarding the IDF and our own Tactical Response, and the simple fact that I live in one of the communities and do not wish to divulge certain weakness that would place anyone in danger.

Much has been learned in the field of Community Security and First Response, simply by experience being our teacher, and we have had countless “professors”. It is this experience and excellence that has made Israel and specifically these communities in Yehuda and Shomron the vanguard in the Homeland Security Field. Today in many of the communities there are teams who are well trained and well equipped, however there are still many who are not as fortunate. Equipment must be constantly maintained as it ages and over time must be replaced and/or upgraded. This also applies to members of First Response Teams. The weak link that is common to all of the regions and communities is the financial backbone holding up these teams. The IDF supplied the basic needs - that of weapons and simple bulletproof vests, some basic training, but that is all. It must be stated, these are official Response Teams and not private militias. They work in coordination with the IDF. Whereas it used to be that the IDF was solely responsible to secure our communities, they are now the backup in the event of a terror situation thanks to these brave civilians. The IDF realized that time of response in a terrorist infiltration is paramount. Every extra minute waiting for the army could cost lives. So, the creation of first response teams has significantly decreased the delay in responding to such incidents. These First Response Teams and Security Chiefs are usually the first to arrive at the scene of a terror attack.

The motivation in the community’s remains very high, as it is essentially their own lives and those of their family at stake. Training by the IDF is minimal and most teams will train on their own, being either sponsored by their regional council or private donors. If there is a weakness to these teams, it is due to the continuous budgetary cuts by the Defense Ministry to the overall community defense structure. These cuts are across the board and are increasing the Risk and Threat Levels these communities are facing. Politics of course is a factor that we all must deal with, however the main difference in Israel, is that any sign of weakness provides motivation to our enemies. This combined with the increasing supply and funding of the various Arab Terror organizations by Western Governments in Yehuda and Shomron, makes for one deadly cocktail.

The IDF is currently removing many soldiers that guard communities and their security is, in turn falling mostly upon their own shoulders. This cut is also affecting the budgets that were supplied to the communities and regions in the Communication, Tactical and Perimeter fields. The lacking that these cuts have created is being filled by the continued support, effort and work of the local population and supportive Jewish Communities and Individuals abroad.

In summation, what is happening is such. The lines are being drawn and redrawn daily for a future conflict once again in the region. The North is seeing a total and increased rearming by Hizbullah, soon to be the recipient of new US arms and drones that will be sent to the Lebanese Army and funneled south, The South is witnessing a rearmed Hamas, whose reign of Terror will reach Tel Aviv, and last but certainly not least, the Heartland of our people, Yehuda and Shomron, will bear the brunt of the latest Arab Army in the Middle East whose arms will reach out in an attempt to strangle the center of the country, it is only a matter of time before the Arabs of the Galil create unrest as well.

I know that we are a strong people and can bear anything they can throw at us, and we can and will defeat any enemy. My main concern is the cost – in lives lost.

I am not using Fear or Guilt tactics here to get a point across. I have tried to supply a simple yet accurate analysis of the current security situation that is based on the region, the peoples, and the history, as well as the ever increasing component of extreme Islam in the Western world and “Homegrown” Islamic Terrorists.

Of course if the entire Arab and Muslim world change their collective mind regarding Israel’s existence as a Jewish State, then I readily admit to being wrong.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Baby, it's cold outside

The temperatures in Yehuda and Shomron have begun to drop, one might even say it is freezing. So like any one else we have started to bundle up. One of the emergency procedures we learn in survival is when freezing to use our body heat wisely and if necessary “share” body heat to survive. This is where we are today, the survival being spoken of is that of the survival of the Jewish State as we know it.

Sounds rough, sounds extreme, but lets face it, this is what is on the table. Jewish families cannot build in their land, only Jews, not Arabs. This ridiculous attempt to jump-start the Peace process only damages. Gd forbid if this process continues to move forward, reality will change and many people’s lives will have a question mark attached to their address.

Lines are being drawn and our enemies are smelling victory, (I think they are smelling their garbage burning), fanning the flames they see are the likes of J Street, Peace Now, and so many others of that ilk. It seems like support of Yehuda and Shomron among the Jews outside is succumbing to external pressures. The Obama administration, The European Union and various Left Wing groups are doing their best to quell any support for the Jewish Heartland, what can we do to respond? I do not mean to be harsh, but maybe you all don’t get it. This is a group effort, if we do not work together, and now, you will all be reminiscing about your visits to Shilo, Hevron and so many other places intertwined in our history. The places mentioned in the Torah will just become “Faraway” and not ours. Worst of all, the Face of Judaism will change, and Jewish strength might fade into history.

I know that while this picture seems unfortunately agreeable to many, maybe most, this possible reality will affect all of us, and not in a good way. The self hatred and ignorance that is leading to this scenario (that so many of our own people feel and experience), will soon turn against us, nothing new, just another repetition of history.

But this history will be a bit different. We are approaching a very dangerous time and how we act now will dictate how we act in the future. The wide world of Jews like to think that our troubles will end with giving away Yehuda and Shomron, they fail to see that this would lead to the same outcome in the Galil, of course Never Forget O’ Jerusalem. Where is the red line, when will the people wake up. If we are to learn anything, we must learn to act and learn to act now, together as one and stop this madness being dictated to us by people who have been deceived and will not bear the brunt of this present day tyranny and ethnic cleansing of Jews from our heartland.

This precedent that current Prime Minister Bibi is trying to implement is against everything he has pledged. Now while a politician lying or not keeping his campaign promise is pretty much the norm, this current process is going against the will of the country (according to the latest polls), and that is not what democracy is about. Where are all the Rights People now?

What is at stake goes beyond our history it is our future, the future for all Jews. By the way, for those that care, also the future of democracy in Israel.

I know it is not “politically correct”, but we are going to have to fight this “Freeze”, everybody and anybody who cares about a Jewish Israel is going to have to get involved, one way or another.

There is plenty to do wherever you are, but you must do and not just speak or write, make your voices heard, we can do this. It is time to get involved because the result will not be 80,000 to 300,000 refugees, it will be much worse.

I know the picture isn’t as clear across the ocean, and doesn’t hit home for all, but it is your home that we are talking about, make no mistake in thinking otherwise. I hear the squeaking of the armchairs as I write, and I say Arise! Be Healed! March On!