Over Confident

In President Obama’s recent interview to Time magazine, many media outlets translated the Presidents feelings to that he felt “over confident” regarding the Middle East Peace Process. I don’t think I would use the word “over confident”, I would change it to ”wrong”.

A quote from the article - “I think it is absolutely true that what we did this year didn't produce the kind of breakthrough that we wanted, and if we had anticipated some of these political problems on both sides earlier, we might not have raised expectations as high”.

I think I would translate this as “ we failed because we didn’t study the conflict and history of the region, furthermore we have no idea or understanding regarding the Arab world”.

I do not blame the President for these mistakes, after all he hires “experts” to delve into this arena. Of course this team of “experts” he is working with have one of the worst records regarding Israel since the rebirth of the Jewish State. Maybe the fact that they are not objective, or are straight out supporters of the Arab nations has something to do with it, or maybe their negative attitude towards Israel? Wait, I could be wrong, he did hire these guys, so I guess I do blame him. But he can still make things right and hire people who do understand.

Or maybe they just have it all wrong. George Mitchell, the champion of North Ireland, maybe he doesn’t realize that there is a different dynamic here in Israel. Hey George, WAKE UP! The Arabs have been against the Jews here for a LONG time…even before the State of Israel, way before. Maybe the problem is that they constantly want to destroy us? No this is not paranoia, it is an opinion based on historical facts and COMMON KNOWLEDGE! I know George is not that ignorant, he knows all about our history here. I want to know why does he hate Israel so much, did a Zionist bite him when he was young?

The biggest joke is that people still think that a “Palestinian State”, (forgive me for the inaccuracy of terms), will bring about peace to the region. The Arab nations of this region have been at each other’s throats forever and they will continue to be. In 1948, they attempted to carve up this region, they all promised the locals here of Arab victory if they would join in and fight the Jews, they called it “Fez’a” or reign of terror, basically the so-called innocent Arab villages in and around the fledgling State attacked Jews where ever they could. The Arabs call the result of 1948 war “Naq’ba”, or catastrophe, I call it defeat. They have been at war with us here since we have been in this land and when the Jewish State and Army were reborn they all attacked, they lost, and they have been crying “foul” ever since.

One of the key words to success of this process was “Gestures”, of course Israel is to blame that we do not make enough or “Bold” gestures. Who has been doing the shooting and bombings here? Who are the Professors of Terror, whose media and scholastic programs preach murder and death? What the hell is wrong with you all, you want bold gestures, you want peace? Stop the teaching of terror in the Schools!

That and other simple moves towards peace you will not get from most of the Arabs in the Middle East, because the concept of living with a Jewish State in their midst is not acceptable. Equality, mutual respect, women’s rights, religious tolerance and a whole slew of other nice values that exist in Western Culture do not reign here in this part of the world. Why do you think so many Arabs leave the Middle East?

My message to the US administration and all those who think that Israel should abandon it’s heartland is - go back to the drawing board, study history, do more research, and we’ll talk soon. You want Peace in the region, guess what, so do we, and more than anyone, but we must survive and must protect our people, not just for another few years, but also for future generations.

So if you want peace also, get real, we are here to stay.

Defrosted

The freeze is on, new construction throughout Yehuda and Shomron has come to a virtual standstill. For accuracy sake, buildings that were started or pre approved for the most part are going up, depending on the whim of the Defense Minister and his understanding or lack of understanding of this biased policy.

This ethnic icebox runs true with its allies, apartheid and racism. You see this is all one-sided, my Arab neighbors across the valley have jumped on the building band wagon and have increased all of their building efforts, full throttle ahead. Increases in budgets from abroad for the Arab residents of Yehuda and Shomron, both from foreign Governments and individuals flow fast like white water rapids. They are not stupid, they realize the Jews have slowed down, now is the time to move, and that is exactly what they are doing.

I don’t have a problem with their building - I have a problem with the clear cut limits and prejudice against the Jewish population of this region. It is quite obvious there are “witch” hunts going on against the “National Religious” community of Yehuda, Shomron and Jerusalem. Property deeds that we sign on apparently are not worth the paper they are written on. Property deeds that Jews have held for years are questioned while Arab squatters are treated like dignitaries, sometimes I wonder where we are living, in which century and… under whose rule? Our basic rights are being violated by our own people, but you know what, I know why. Despite the frustration and anger that I share with millions of Jews around the world about how we are being trounced upon, and how we are being backed into a corner, (mind you, only we are to blame), there is a good side to this also, even though it is hard to see.

Its in all the papers, you know, how the US administration is against us, how they are siding with the Arabs and so on, how the Israeli government, lacking a strong back bone is bending to the whims of our enemies, and “friends”. Its amazing the amount of sound advice that is written and spoken, yet it falls on deaf ears, so reminiscent to Pharaohs’ heart being hardened and not heeding advice that he knew would save him and his people from destruction.

Our adversaries here in Israel must now travel outside of Israel to recruit forces, for their reserves here have dwindled and will soon be no more. Money is collected from governments and groups outside of Israel to pay stooges here in Israel to come out and demonstrate, riot and catch the eye of any mediocre cameraman or reporter hoping to get a byline or film credit.

Civil Disobedience has now become show business, meticulously timed and financed with its actors paid and heartless.

The popular explanation to the Israeli governments folly is stated (loosely translated) “what you see from here, you don’t see from there”, basically that those in the helm (or Chelm) understand the situation differently and act accordingly…fine, if you say so, but I reserve the right to disagree. I remember Arik Sharon saying the same thing regarding the expulsion from Gaza, and I see the wonderful reality we have there today.

Well there is change in the air, we are growing and getting stronger. Where this is a source of strength and pride to many of us, it strikes fear and dread into the hearts of our enemies and those of our own people who fear themselves, which explains the near suicidal behavior of some of our ministers and “leaders”.

The turning of a tanker or a battle ship in a small body of water is an arduous task. It takes many small tugboats to nudge it, guide it and push it to its new direction. It sometimes might even seem that turning such a large vessel in a small body of water is impossible, yet it does happen. Through small maneuvers and efforts from all directions - all with a similar goal in mind – we eventually see the ship begin to turn. The massive effort and ultimate achievement is usually only noticed by those who witness it from close by.

Such are things in Israel today. Small maneuvers and many efforts are at hand, trying to plot a new direction and put the ship back on course. More and more “tugs” are joining in everyday. At first many weren’t sure of the direction, but it is becoming clearer as every new day passes.

Words, ideas, dreams and action are joining forces, as our “ship” begins to turn. More and more articles are written, more ideas are expressed and more opinions are being voiced, all pointing towards the same direction, all lifting their eyes towards the hills of our heartland, our history, heritage and our hearts.

We see subtle changes in the most unexpected places. Media strongholds, once fortresses of the absurd, are opening their eyes to the farce that stands before them. Israeli comedians, who once laughed at the devoted, now laugh at true satires and court jesters, getting their new material by observing the Israeli “left” and European circus.

An army of writers, thinkers, bloggers and reporters continues to surface and unsheathe their words and thoughts, shedding truth that has been hidden for too long, as their ideas pierce the armor of ignorance of our foes, those against a Jewish land. Even the scent of justice lies right around the corner, in reach, soon to return to us.

Side by side, we see another army of people making these words, ideas and thoughts into a source of strength for all of us. Taking dreams and giving them body, taking seeds and planting them, this army grows day by day. Despite any freeze in the air, the fire that burns within them provides light and warmth.

We are seeing and living the reemergence of spirit, of clear thought, of a strong people.

We are home in our land.

That which we call a Rose…

US Transportation Security is back in the headlines. President Obama has stepped into the arena and he is swinging, “unacceptable” failures - as he put it, and he vows to change that. The headlines are full of TSA (Transportation Security Agency) “failures” and Intelligence Agency “failures”. According to the media, approximately the entire system does not seem to be working. Screening equipment that has raised privacy questions in the past is being reviewed again, the “List” of possible threats is being reviewed and updated, and it doesn’t stop there.

The Politically Incorrect word of the day is “Profiling.” Recently there was a quasi demonstration against El Al in South Africa. Their gripe: El Al uses profiling, which is unacceptable to the South Africans.

Not surprisingly, almost anytime Israeli security is mentioned in the media, there is someone out there that brings up how “bad and evil” the Israelis are. The security at Ben Gurion Airport has been cited over and over again as arguably the best in the world and El Al security policies are being re-examined once again. Israel has lived with the threat of terrorism since its creation; due to lack of choice, the Israeli security apparatus has had to excel in all fields, always a step ahead of the game.

For all of those that like to demonstrate against security methods used by Israel which are now being adopted by other countries, here are a few thoughts for you.

In the “enlightened” world, profiling is a no-no. The latest statements are that there will be more measures taken to secure flights coming out of certain regions, i.e. most of the Arab countries; European and Canadian airports will be making extra efforts and will be adding new procedures and processes to the security assessment of passengers traveling to the United States. The full body scan is being reintroduced, as is closer screening on passengers.

This is very impressive. Very. Impressive. Indeed.

Let us take a look at this “terror” alert and scare, shall we? Extreme Islam is the agreed upon threat, with Al Qaeda as its flagship. Who makes up Al Qaeda and Extreme Islam? Drum roll, please… You got it, Muslims. This means security personnel will be paying a lot more attention to Muslim passengers, especially if they come from Arab countries. Of course, they “might” pull out 20 passengers from various backgrounds, but we all know who they are really looking at, and it is not Sister Mary Frances.

The fact is that “Profiling” is and has been used forever in the security world and it will continue to be used. “Randomly selecting” a nun over someone who fits the “profile” is more than silly. It’s laughable. After all, what are we trying to achieve? Safety, an uneventful trip, and getting back to our families in one piece.

The fact is that the Islamic world has produced more terrorists than any other group, and this reality comes with consequences. This is not racism, not apartheid. This is pure, common-sense security, whose only goal is to protect. And we “apologize” that our job translates to what others view as “mean.” This is not an easy or sensitive world – we are concerned about people’s lives.

I am sure there will be those that will shout “Privacy rights,” “Racism,” and so on. But I think the majority of the traveling public will agree that a safe, uneventful trip is far more important to them then hurting someone’s feelings or offending people who look the part.

It should be known, that the security agencies of the United States have great people working for them, they need to be allowed to work and succeed. Of course they need to be under control, and sensitivities must be monitored, but never at the cost of the lives of innocent people.

The TSA should be hiring talented and skilled people; it should not be an alternative to Welfare. The Department of Homeland Security should realize that Political Correctness is not part of the equation: the only factor is keeping travelers safe, and most importantly, alive.

Call it what you may: screening, increased security, even profiling. Whatever you choose, I conclude as I began “that which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.”