Yesha Views

The Amusement Park turns serious….

2012-02-02T21:12:00.002+02:00

The amusement park turns serious….

Just how important is Israel to all of us, to the world? Many a headline has focused on the Iranian threat to Israel, the possibility of a renewed holocaust against the Jewish State… the state, not the nation.

Many can’t even conceive of the threat, why should they?

The Internet blogosphere has become a battlefield of for and against, as have many of the speaking events involving Israel. There is no room for dialogue, as choirs gather to be preached to, gathering to show support for their team.

That is pretty much the way it goes today, those that are for, those that are against.

Possible solutions are no longer discussed: it’s either my way or the highway.

There is actually a reason why there is usually no discussion, especially from the side of those that wish Israel to recede into past history.

In pretty much all of the scenarios and solutions regarding Israel and the “Palestinian” Arabs, that “they” present, be they “liberal”, “post”, open minded or just good ole anarchists, their paths all lead to a common end, the disappearance of Israel as a Jewish State as we know it. Some of the solutions are quick, some are a drawn out suffering process, but like I said, they all share a common result, if not goal (intended or not). ***

*** (Feel free to visit me when in Israel or in your neighborhood to discuss. To long to write about here.)

Eventually the truth does rear its ugly head as witnessed by some attendees and organizers at the latest “BDS” event happenings at U of Penn in Phila. A promotional video about the conference that was pulled from the web pretty much revealed to all, that the movement is about boycotting all of Israel and that the goal is clearly the “creation of one Arab majority state that would, in essence, eliminate Israel as a Jewish state” (Jewish Exponent- BDS Reveals its Real Agenda).

Amusing in my eyes is how the local Jewish “Leadership” is responding. Programs that intend to educate and foster dialogue between students regarding Israeli society. Organized by the Jewish Federation, Hillel, others and speaking there…the savior of the day, Professor Alan Dershowitz.

Yessiree bob, they be pullin’ out the big guns!

Sorry, but this deserves a big “Oy”!

The web is flooded with educational articles, events, papers, you name it, anything and everything that shows an alternative view to those that preach against Israel. Yes many of those presenting, speaking are as closed minded as those that “preach” against Israel, but most are not. The owners of the so-called “other view”, or anti-anti Israel folk are efficiently kept out of Jewish Federation events, even out of many Hillels and other supposedly open minded Synagogues or Congregations, and if they, by chance, have the door cracked open for them, the welcome is far less than gracious.

And now to jump a little bit…

Throughout my years working as a security professional, I was taught, and also learned, that if you want to prevent terror, you sometimes have to look into the future and even be able to say “what if we…”. We have to learn to see warning signs, flaws in our systems, weak links in our chains or fences, in order to prevent possible future scenarios that would cause fatalities.

And now back….

The anti Israel movements, whether they want to call themselves “Rights” Movements, “Democratic” advocacy, or “Occupation or anti-Occupation” groups are being used as tools by our adversaries, and the Jews among them, believing that they are seeing a common denominator within these groups (be it against the Religious, “Pro-Zionist”, “Right Wing” or even Republican) are joining, leading, and supporting their efforts. So reminiscent of how Golda Meir thought the other Socialist leaders in the world were ready to come to Israel’s aid during the Yom Kippur War, (because of our own Socialist leadership, you know… honor among thieves), only to be disappointed to discover that they really didn’t care if Israel survived or not, and secretly preferred that Israel just disappear and stop being a pain in the ass. I might add, definitely not the first time in our Jewish history do we see our own looking to and assisting an enemy against ourselves.

We are raising a generation of Jews, from all colors of the spectrum, that are not being fed a healthy educational diet regarding Israel (I also wanted to say spiritual, but I know that scares many congregations and organizations out there). Yes, I know, we can all blame Israel right now for having lousy PR, lousy leadership, and we would all be right, extra right. But that does not give us the right to allow our children and even friends and neighbors to be taken, sometimes even as slaves or Zombies to movements that set them against the only Jewish country in the world.

Many of our children are denied a look into their own history, both recent and past. They are kept from walking the paths our forefathers took. They are being betrayed by their own values of freedom, democracy and human rights. Impostors like the Olive Tree Initiative, BDS, Peace Now and so many others draw them in, turning them into kamikaze pilots. I use that term simply, because they destroy themselves and their future in the process.

(Bear with me for a moment…)

Who can blame them? They are not shown “Israel”, all of Israel, despite their “Zionism” classes. Even the Religious Zionist groups, are not taught enough about our challenges and hisstory. Israel is the “trip”, the “year”, the first year spent away from home. Want to know the good Anglo bars in Jerusalem, just ask almost any kids here on their “Shana Alef”, many if not most will know.

Birthright? Sure why not, 10 - 14 days of getting to know Israel, well not all of Israel, but at least part. Intense dude! Booze, Babes, Israeli soldiers, seeing the Holy Land, I’m there.

These are great programs!!! I mean it! Many of our young benefit beyond measure, I even say that many are inspired and go far because of these programs. I do not mean to be malicious, these programs need to be used, taken advantage of, expanded upon, but used to their fullest potential.

While this may present a negative picture of these noble works, it covers a lot of ground, just ask for an honest answer, or listen into the conversations of many participants.

There is a war being fought against Israel in the diaspora. The foot soldiers and canon fodder are none other than our own children, and all of us are responsible.

I have had the good fortune and opportunities to speak to many young people, religious/not religious, Democrat/Republican, Liberal, Conservative, High School/ College campuses, all across the board. They are not prepared for the onslaught waiting for them, some are even being conditioned for it in their own synagogues, as being a “Liberal”, or voting “Democrat” seems to have become religions. Various Jewish religious movements also have been conditioning their flocks, and with that, you must belong to the proper clubs and adopt their ways, sometimes even blindly.

Even the Israel Advocacy Groups are limping in their efforts and strategies to strengthen us.

Arab funded University Middle East programs are proving to be effective spawning grounds against Israel, along side of “Alternative” Jewish movements, Like Jewish Voice of Peace, Rabbis for Human Rights, even the “Occupy” folk to name a few along with a slew of media outlets claiming to be of a “Liberal”, Intellectually advanced nature, but simply proving themselves to be as racist and close minded as your average Imam in Mecca or Dearborn.

See some of the results at Irvine, Columbia, and now U of Penn, along with many other fine institutions of higher learning.

We have one country, one land, that’s it. We may live in many, but there is only one country that will stand up to protect Jews wherever they are, and that country is Israel. We are not perfect, lots of problems, lots of challenges, a long way to go. If we let our children be drawn to our enemies, they will be lost, and then gone.

A wise Rabbi, mentioned to his Congregation, who happen to be very Pro Israel, that it is not enough to have a heated conversation about Israel at the dinner table, not enough to send out thousands of e-mails, that we have to act.

That time has come long ago. Do not let your children, friends and neighbors be led away.

The warning signs are quite clear.

Our Own

2012-01-20T13:15:00.005+02:00

The fact that we have enemies is not news. The fact that our enemies want us out of the land of Israel is not news. These unfortunately are givens, and we have been fighting these battles forever, and probably will go on fighting these battles, until we and our children are left in peace to flourish and grow like any others.

Our own fighting between ourselves is also no breaking news. Since the “Book” was recorded, it is chock full of, he said, they said, I want, and the “yennims” (what others have).

Families have squabbles, siblings quarrel, couples argue, but in order to remain as one, a unit, a family, they must overcome these obstacles and learn from them, build from them and grow stronger from them.

These points are often the weak links in our bonds and are sought out and exploited by those that wish to dissolve family units, peoples or countries.

As we, in Israel grow stronger as a people in our country, and strengthen our connection to our land and our history, our enemies are making extreme efforts to exploit the differences between us, often causing many of us to forget who we are, our common bonds and that we are family. Indeed, how many Jews from the diaspora actually visit their own historical heartland. How many have been manipulated into being afraid and how many are losing interest. At least in Israel, we are seeing an opposite trend. It is a challenging fight.

Recently the news has been overflowing with Religious issues, differences, Israel’s Democracy. Various views regarding women in Ultra Orthodox surroundings and of course, our own IDF, are being used to set up points of confrontation. Not belittling these at all, though they are much smaller than presented and perceived by the media, but these are our issues in Israel, and they are being used to drive wedges between us as a people. Once again, this occurring under the shadow of a pre-nuclear Iran, that poses an existential threat to our Jewish state and millions of lives, all lives, all peoples.

Throughout various points in our own history, our enemies have dragged us apart, forming false treaties, partnerships and friendship only causing us to battle between ourselves weakening us and eventually leading to our own demise.

Just like what is going on today, once again, the concept and efforts of divide and conquer surface in false smiles and shallow promises. Foreign government officials have been making unholy alliances with opposing factions in Israel, fostering unhealthy conflicts within our own and this has become a major political activity among supposed pro-Israel groups.

Venture to your nearest JCC to hear an enemy of the Jewish state rant, while an advocate of an equally allowed opinion shut out. University campuses courting groups, who supposedly advocate peace, with names like the “Olive Tree Initiative”, orchestrating and manipulating their own political agendas, none supporting a Jewish State of Israel.

Watch how many non-affiliated Jews, and many who belong to the Reform and Conservative camps outside of Israel have been forming ranks under the flag of Women’s Rights in Israel, especially in our IDF, themselves being victims of the biased media outlets. The same regarding the Ultra Orthodox and Religious communities, again outside of Israel, paying attention only to issues pertaining to Rabbinic decrees.

Of course this does not apply to everyone, far from it, the point being, that our enemies use these internal conflicts to divide us, and hopefully wrench us from our own history, our land, just like has been done before.

Maybe we will be the generation to end this vicious cycle, and reunite our people as one….maybe.

The Magnifying Glass....

2011-12-21T20:03:00.002+02:00

Through the magnifying glass….

Israel must truly be the great evil of the world! If you follow the “mainstream” media, even “moderate, hip, “contemporary” Jewish media, how can you come to an alternate conclusion? Lets take a look….

Women have no rights here in Israel; Women are forced to ride in the back of the buses.

Anti Israel NGO’s are having their funding looked into, investigated and limited.

Democracy is in existential danger here.

Our present government is corrupting foreign NGO’s around the world, turning them Pro- Israel against the will of the consensus.

There are over 300,000 Jewish people running around Judea and Samaria attacking the IDF and Mosques.

More, more and more, and to top it off…Thomas Friedman doesn’t like what’s going on in Israel, and he’s never wrong.

I mean, lets face it Israel is in the news almost everyday!

I have been observing many of the attacks from the Jewish sector lately, from both in and out of Israel.

I guess the first issue or incident that I would like to address is the violent demonstration, or even to call it the attack on an IDF base in Samaria, by none other than many of the Jews who live here.

Plenty has been written on it, and I do not wish to be repetitive. By no means do I or will I defend it either.

“Right-Wing violence”, “Price Tag”, “Hill Top Youth”! You would think that this is the main “goings on” in Israel! And now, Bibi, Ehud Barak and the country is going to do something about it.

Now, here is the absurd. Every Friday, for the past few years, groups of Arabs and POST ZIONIST, LEFT WING ISRAELI JEWS, whatever you want to label them, have been getting together to demonstrate violently against the IDF. Soldiers have been hurt, some badly, equipment has been damaged, and this has been going on in plain view of all, yet silence is maintained, the media keeps their lips sealed.

But now, the “country” has decided to do something against “Extreme Right Wing” violent acts against our soldiers. Binyamin Ben Eliezer (MK Labor Party) even said to shoot “them”, lets see him say the same thing against the demonstrators at Bil’in (separation fence), Nebe Salah (a claim for a spring in Samaria). Ben Eliezer wants to show how he is such a defender of the IDF, they all do, so why do they keep the other weekly incidents against our soldiers quiet?

When I spoke of this issue to many of my acquaintances (not from Judea and Samaria), they couldn’t believe that such events occur weekly, and by “left wing” secular Jews, no less. So, we have to ask, or people who do not know about this, have to ask, why are they being kept in the dark? If they are being kept ignorant about this particular issue, what about the other important issues?

It would seem to the coherent that there is an agenda afoot here, one that is not so fair, hmmmm.

Another topic that has most Israeli’s sighing, again, those who know better, is the “Rosa Parks” incident. A woman was asked (and later yelled at) to sit in the back of a public bus, due to Ultra Orthodox custom of separate seating, she refused. Again, I will not defend this, as I honestly feel that since it is a public bus, she can sit where she would like, but that is just my opinion. But look at the world! Hillary Clinton is concerned! Woman’s Rights activists are up in arms! Israel, the oppressive society for women! Even our own Jewish women have answered the call to arms!

I am not belittling this incident by any means, nor am I belittling the event I mentioned earlier. I am belittling the way people only wake up when Israel is involved, by the double standard that is being shoved in our faces everyday. Are we perfect? No, far from it, you want to start comparing countries? No, “they” don’t, because we come out so far ahead that it is simply ridiculous.

Israel was compared to Iran…Iran? can you believe that? You want to compare some extreme religious practices to that of extreme Islam, you can do that, in fact there is a topic called Comparative Religion taught in many universities today, but to say that Israel is likened to some of the most despicable extreme Islamic states, where the concept of women’s rights, and most other rights, is virtually non-existent?

Forget comparing, these activists who shout out against Israel have proven themselves to be no more than simple Israel and Jew-bashers, or of course, basic ignoramuses, even the Jewish ones! Hypocrisy rules! These same people who rush to scream for “Rights” for others will wrap themselves from head to toe while visiting other cultures, but strip themselves to the bare minimum to incite their own.

These same folk, outside of Israel, will easily criticize the IDF and go so far as to demand that we endanger ourselves in Israel, while they turn a blind eye, and heart, to their own military where ever they reside. They don’t even have the guts to “give” to their own countries, let’s see them send their own sons to serve, lets see. But to criticize Israel, one of the few Elite, that’s right Elite countries in this world that actually gives back to the world and the human race, be it through science, medicine or even teaching the world how to fight terror, this they feel they have the right to, the duty to, the voice to…

Israel is not a perfect country, far from it. But we will work at it, and will continue to work at it. We will make mistakes and we will get things right at times… like everyone else, but we will continue to try to better ourselves.

We will always have our own self-haters in Israel, many that can’t see beyond their own noses, if they are lucky. Their numbers are dwindling, and will soon be gone, because more and more are waking up to reality and truth here.

To all of you who like to point from the outside, do me a favor, go take a good hard look in the mirror, and feel free to point, but do it at yourselves first.

Stars upon Thars

2011-12-02T14:48:00.001+02:00

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/magen-david-adom-pledges-to-leave-west-bank-haaretz-learns-1.399066

Stars upon Thars

When you are lying hurt and wounded, most do not care what symbol you are wearing…as long as you are giving them the best assistance you can to save them or their loved ones lives.

This is one of the personal experiences I learned from serving as Security Chief of the Shilo Region during the many medical emergency incidents I responded to.

Road 60 is the main North-South vein through our heartland of Judea and Samaria. It is pretty much along the same route our forefathers and ancestors used back in the day. It remains the same road used today to make our way to Jerusalem, from both North and South. It is also a road that has known much bloodshed, not only from terrorism and ancient crime, but from the inexcusable and pathetic amount of traffic accidents.

As a “RavShatz”, or Chief Security Coordinator, responding to medical emergencies, was part of the job, both in and out of the communities. I went or led the ambulance and our “MDA” medical teams where they had to be, and at times I also had to protect them from possible danger.

Our response knew no nationality, no race, no color, no religion; it knew one thing, and one thing only, to save lives, simply that. Many if not most of the incidents occurred on the road, as I mentioned, accidents were common on this ancient road. Most of the accidents were between Arab cars, and our teams were almost always the first to arrive and care for the victims. So successful and professional, the sight of the Red Star of David on “Ambulance Shilo”, brought relief to the Arab villagers living in our region. Our medics were known as heroes and saviors to the Arabs, to the point they would not allow their own ambulances to tend the victims, they stated out loud, “we want the Jews”.

More than once we received letters of thanks from the villages and personal thanks for being there for them…despite politics and the surrounding violence.

They knew our level of training, and dedication would be fully applied. I admit to even using the “Red Star” as a tool to keep the peace. During a particular tense time, pre Intifada, Arab youth and young adults would stone our cars from time to time, I called the Arab village leaders and told them I would not allow our ambulance to respond to their wounded if the stonings did not cease…they did.

Magen David Adom has now shown us that they are no longer an organization whose priority it is to save lives; they have joined the political arena. They wish to be part of “them” rather than “us”.

The irony here, in the simple world of saving lives is… that the same people who have brought honor and dignity to the Red Star of David in the Arab world are now the ones being thrown “to the dogs”.

They wish to change the uniforms of the MDA volunteers in Judea and Samaria to “distinguish” us from others, I believe the new uniform they propose will have a “Yellow Star” on it, perhaps this will appease the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent…whose symbols do not offend the world, as the Star of David does…nasty Jews.

Yet more of the same rhetoric and poison streams through the leadership of the MDA, much like that of various Jewish Federations and Congregations who also abandon our people living in Judea and Samaria. MDA and ARMDI keep on claiming to deny this “letter” and allegations, yet I have not seen any action to back their words of defense, only concern that their donor base will decrease.

If it is not true, PROVE IT TO BE WRONG!

We are told that this whole story is based upon their wish of acceptance to a club whose symbol is a cross and a crescent, an organization whose ambulances have been proven guilty of transporting terrorists to kill innocents, and who offer more funding, funny, the word “whore” comes to mind.

If the MDA does continue down this road, they will be able to stand proudly next to other proud organizations like B’Tzelem, the New Israel Fund and others who have turned their back on Israel’s future. They will also have to bear the same responsibility.

Magen David Adom… If you leave us, we will leave you, and it will be your loss! But the symbol will remain, because it is not yours, it is OURS, the Jewish People!

How lucky we are that Al Gazeera’s Israeli counterparts, better known as Ha’Aretz English reports their hidden actions.

It seems that bowing to our enemies is sheik today… I mean chic… my slip.

Not in my neighborhood!

The "Face" of Judea and Samaria

2011-11-30T17:21:00.002+02:00

The “Face” of Judea and Samaria

Lately, many visitors from outside of Israel have been visiting Judea and Samaria. From US congressman, European members of Parliaments and governments, the who’s who and who’s not have been making their way over to attempt to get a better understanding of what’s going on over here. Indeed, we have been seeing a rise in support not just from our own in Israel, but an increasing amount of visitors have come around to the thinking that Judea and Samaria is truly part of Israel and not to be given away like a used car.

I have also been observing various individuals who are portrayed to be the “face” of Judea and Samaria, be it produced by the media or self promoted.

One of the biggest misconceptions of Judea and Samaria is the makeup of our population, the stereotype and generalization of those of us who live in these parts.

For too long have we allowed the media to show one type of Jew who represents the over 300,000 people who live here. We all know the picture, big Kippah, Payot (sidelocks), usually a beard, this is the general image of the population of our heartland. Usually devout, sometimes “Messianic”, angry, yelling, cursing an Arab or fighting off an IDF soldier, yup, that’s a “settler”! At least that’s what the media would have you believe makes up the core of Judea and Samaria.

Does this person live in Judea and Samaria? Yes, he does, he also lives in Tel Aviv, Be’er Sheva, Haifa and Kiryat Shemona and more. Is this an accurate portrayal of Judea and Samaria? Not in the least.

The majority of Jews in the world do not look like this… the majority of Jews living in Judea and Samaria do not look like this either, so what gives?

For many years opponents of a Jewish presence in it’s historical heartland have been trying to maintain a separation between not only the physical territory, but also the populous and the rest of Israel and Jews of the world. You could not find a better way to do this by presenting an image that most cannot relate to. It has proven to be a successful marketing strategy, both here and outside of Israel.

Blame must not only be put on the media, but also our leadership here in Judea and Samaria. When we have sent out our emissaries to the diaspora, whom did we send? Representatives of ALL the Jews living here? No, not at all. Mostly those who matched the media ‘s portrayal, at least in physical appearance.

Is there a single image or representative of ALL Jews of Judea and Samaria? No, there is not, do you know why? Judea and Samaria is as diverse as every other part of Israel, various levels of religious observance and non-observance, of political right and yes, even left. There are long hairs, short hairs, cool folk, geeks and nerds, intellects, simpletons, brave and courageous, even frightened people. Liberal, Conservative, Professionals, Artists, Professors, Sanitation workers, the list goes on and on….just like everywhere in Israel and the world.

Something for everyone…but that would mean that the people living there are normal…just like you, and that is not on the agenda.

How can you expect “Diaspora Jews, be they Observant, Conservative, Reform, Traditional or non-observant Jews to relate to a Jew living in Judea and Samaria when he is shown a limited version of the people living there? How can we expect people to think that we are diverse when they think that only “Avraham Fried” is the choice of music out here in the hills? I have Hendrix blaring on my speakers, down the block Idan Raichel is playing, someone’s got hip-hop wreaking havoc on their system, and John Coltraine is cooling his way at one of the area restaurants where the fine wine and gourmet food is being served (produce of Judea and Samaria).

In the same breath, there is Torah being taught in ways few thought possible, in so many institutions, by Rabbis with beards, without beards, by the young and old, men and women, and children.

All types, all options, the full spectrum. But you wouldn’t know that from the media, or the “Mainstream” Jewish Federation trips and educational programs to Israel.

The common glue between the Jews living in our heartland… a fierce love of Israel, the land and the people.

The web to trap so many, being continuously spun by the impostors, the media and our own, who claim to seek truth and peace, only keeps our people and especially our children separate and divided, and thus, weak and susceptible to their lies and misinformation.

It is up to all of us to tear this web of danger down, before we loose more of our people.

The “Face” of Judea and Samaria? No such thing, public or private, there are the “Faces” of Judea and Samaria, and they are the same and different as the faces of all of Israel, of all of the Jewish people, (that is those that are not anti-Israel).

The “Green” line only separates the ignorant.

More Fronts

2011-11-27T20:28:00.000+02:00

When discussing the challenges that Israel faces, most often mentioned are those based on the security of the nation, the state. Be it the Iranian threat of a nuclear apocalypse, the ongoing campaign of terror from the Arabs living within and around Israel, or the existential threat of remaining a Jewish State.

These have become the norm in our daily lives. We read, discuss and live this reality. Our children and we learn to adapt and meet these challenges head on, as we work to be victorious each in his way against our adversaries.

Rarely discussed is the threat our people face outside of Israel.

Our enemies have changed their strategy in how to attack and damage Israel.

In light of Israel’s floundering PR, lack of clear leadership and direction, our enemies have targeted diaspora Judaism to use as their latest weapon against Israel.

Allying with Israel’s extreme left, this perverted combo makes use of a campaign of misinformation, and a warped view of reality to turn the less informed, misguided and generally bored individuals against the Jewish state.

Being presented as neo-liberalism and progressive thought, these views spread like a deadly virus among our people. Blinding most to truth and facts, they ignore and change history to adapt to their own ignorant and limited lack of understanding, even turning the wise and enlightened into the frightened and biased.

We see the symptoms in various shapes and forms. The most common denominator between them is the disconnection from the physical Jewish history in our heartland and the adoption of the distorted version of “Palestinian Arab” history and falsehoods.

Breeding grounds of this danger include university campuses, many Conservative and Reform institutions and Mainstream Jewish federation get-togethers. It is mostly the young who are sought out to rise against Israel because they do not know, were never taught, and worse then all, were kept intentionally ignorant by their leaders.

One classic example is a particular educational institution in Israel that provides young men and women (pre college) who hail from Conservative and Reform Jewish Schools an opportunity to learn more about Israel. Unfortunately they keep their students from going “over the Green line”. Sure they have “representatives” come and speak to them, from all sides, but do not give them the chance to see for themselves.

Another example are organized trips to Israel by these same groups, it is a rare instance that they or their rabbinic leaders set foot upon historically important sites of our heritage. Stating that doing so is too politically charged, or using the “danger” card, these “missions” keep their participants effectively in the dark, a virus that later spreads to their children, often a more serious strain.

While not being coaxed on by anti Israel movements, many “Orthodox” school programs are also guilty of keeping their students and missions ignorant. When taking the students or other participants out to see, to hear and connect, these institutions fail to teach relevance of our existence here, simple recent history, and beyond, thus keeping them weak in the face of anti Israel adversaries, and in doing so play into the clutches of our enemies.

Many new Jewish Groups that have been adopting Arab renditions have been becoming more vociferous in their activities against Israel. Being manipulated and funded by anti Israel activists and yet undisclosed sources, they have taken more aggressive routes. Intruding on pro Israel or simply “Jewish” events, disrupting where they can, they declare their unity with those that wish for Israel’s destruction. The aggressive behavior is not met with any resistance… “Good Jews” don’t behave that way. Indeed it is only a matter of time before aggressive behavior turns violent and casualties result.

It has become policy to ignore these outbreaks in hopes that they will disappear and their members dissipate, a mistake to say the least.

Groups that advocate for Israel are often not prepared for these intrusions, nor are they ready to face the aggression from the members of these groups. The results make for neither good advocacy nor good PR.

There are still to be found islands of reason and informed opinions, yet their numbers dwindle as they are labeled “old school”. Many that remain steadfast in their support of Israel, on either side of the political spectrum, seem to be oblivious to this recent appearance, taking it lightly and taking pride in the diversity of our people.

Mainstream Judaism in the diaspora faces its most serious dilemma since the holocaust. Continued siding with the neo Arab redaction of history and the divestment from the Jewish state will cost our people in alarming numbers, all this while our “mainstream” leadership sails blindly into the future.

Perhaps if we work together, we may cure the blindness, we may educate the ignorant and Gd willing defeat our enemies, wherever they are.

Many write that the time to wake up is now… the time to wake up has passed, but better late than never.

Joy, Anger, Frustration

2011-10-19T11:01:00.000+02:00

As tears of joy, sorrow and frustration flow, we trudge on. The “understanding” among us cannot help but having mixed feelings regarding the events of this week. As I have said before and will continue to say, the situation in the Middle East, especially Israel, changes with the same frequency that a politician smiles.

September had us bracing for predicted unknown turmoil, which has yet to come, and the demolition of Jewish homes, which have yet to be rebuilt.

October has brought us diplomatic fever regarding the start of, the finishing of, “Peace” negotiations with those that pray for our exile, two Jews murdered and numbers hurt due to Arab violence on the roads, and…

Last, but definitely not least, Gilad’s redemption, thank Gd, and the continued precedent of bowing to terror.

Who cannot smile as they see the Shalits together, as Gilad’s father embraces his son, and who cannot cringe as the Arabs cheer and support the murderers of children?

Indeed this has become the party of the century, “Tags”, “Gilad” pictures, tee-shirts, posters, you name it. Poor Ron, no where to be found, I guess his family should have hired the same “Peace Now” rep to run his campaign.

As the calls ring out among the Arabs of Judea, Samaria and Gaza for continued kidnapping, and “struggle” against the Jews, many of our people shut their eyes and minds to our new/old situation. Especially outside of Israel, most of our people haven’t a clue as to the reality we must now face in Israel, (unfortunately, the same must be said of countless Israeli’s who have yet to wake up).

While watching the media circus surrounding the event yesterday, an acquaintance mentioned that he couldn’t stay as he was on the way to the cemetery to celebrate his brother’s birthday. He continued to clarify himself when he saw I seemed confused, he explained that his father, brother and sister were killed in the Park Hotel attack in Netanya in 2002. He was visually upset to hear how terrorists involved in the bombing were being released at that moment. He went on to say how he was glad for Gilad, but hurt and angry that these animals were being set free.

Of course a whirlpool has been created among the Arabs now, Hamas is the hero, only violence works with the Jews, peace is not the way. Abbas is banging his head against a wall and the US admin is all of a sudden distressed about the “deal” and some of the terrorists released.

This bittersweet deal has yet to show all of its results, you can be sure of one thing, there is a down side, and when it raises its ugly head, we in Israel will feel it hard.

But enough about that… the “Gilad” party is over, back to business.

Not what you would think, Not what you are being told…

2011-09-01T20:27:00.001+03:00

I was walking through the campus listening to the sounds of the various instruments being played by young musicians. It was like a bouquet of sounds, not really mixed well as the variety of types of music being played was as diverse as the students playing. Jazz, Classical, Rock, an Oud playing classic Arabic tunes, and the whispers of Klezmer seeping through.

Long hair, Short hair, Shorts, sandals, like I said…as diverse as the students playing. Another first day of school, this school obviously is not your “regular” high school… the emphasis here is on music, not just the classic scholastic roster. A bunch of kids more interested in their music, their instruments than math and history, how can this be?

The bottles of Chardonnay, Cab-Merlot mix, and the 2009 Shiraz were strategically placed next to some of the sharper cheeses. The visual against the solid wood table blended as well as the different tastes on our palettes. A Still life well choreographed, whose results only brought smiles and approval to we who were charged with the difficult task of being “tasters”.

Hand squeezed grape juice brought out together with the freshly crushed grapes being scrutinized under the vintner’s sensitive nose, eyes and taste buds. “Next week” he said, “pick the grapes then”, he continued, behind him a wall filled with various international awards, trophies of victory and excellence bearing witness to his success, and of course the excellent wine we were enjoying.

The security personnel sat around listening to the lectures… most of them have heard them before, all of them. Next came the exercise stations, what to do if and when… nothing new, nothing old, some might even call it S.O.P. Standard Operational Procedure. Practice, train, exercise…SOP, just like security personnel all over the world, in every town, village and city. Being prepared for any possibility, pretty much what we all would and should expect of our police, firemen, and first responders after all, that is their job.

“Underwhelming”, was the word my friend said. “I thought it would be different”, just like Everywhere, USA. Of course the guys we were hanging with are among the bravest there are, ready to risk their lives for others…24/7, real heroes.

So, where are these places? Scottsdale? Woodstock? Sacremento?

These scenes took place north of Jerusalem, in the Binyamin Region of the Shomron. Amidst the hysteria that the media is stirring, these scenes are quite the norm. Yes, we are dealing with the definite possibility, the most likely probability of violence once again, to continue to rock our region. No one is taking it lightly, it is a very serious matter, but the point of showing this side comes from a different side.

Too often the people living in Judea and Samaria are portrayed in a very stereotypical, racist and bigoted view. Only one type of folk live there, bible totin’, gun slingin’, Payis (sidelocks) wearin’, types…yup, that’s them, no one else would live in the Jewish Heart/Home/Historical land.

Always the target of the Israeli Left wing, the International façade of supposed Liberal thinkers and Victims of the United State of Deceptive Journalism, the Jewish population of Judea and Samaria has to be one of the most misrepresented in Israel. Even worse, this stereotypical view is believed by a majority of not only the Jewish population of the world, but by most of the world…that is those that notice Israel.

Yes, there are those living here that fit the description above, but they are not the majority at all, they are a part, just like everywhere else in Israel. There are religious, non religious, anti religious, Black, White, Brown, other shades, almost every ethnic background you could imagine, a spectrum of diversity living in the historical homeland of the Jewish people.

Political views are as diverse as the people living there as well. Indeed, “underwhelming”, but at the same time overwhelming, it is these same people who brought and continue to bring life back to the land. It is this wonderful diverse Jewish population that has brought wine, art and music back to this land despite the fact that it has had its Jewish population ripped from it throughout the millennia. Remnants, a Mezzuzah, A Star of David, a Jewish grave, and more, are still found in the villages throughout Judea and Samaria attesting to our historical and social right to our land.

Yet despite all this, the scenes mentioned above are not spoken of in JCC’s, most Jewish Congregations in the Diaspora or University Campuses, they remain hidden, on purpose, less the truth come out and the world see that the Jewish people of Judea and Samaria are as normal as they are.

Who knows, armed with the truth, they might even want to come out and visit, or heaven forbid…live here!

The conflict is alive and well, it is being fed and fueled by the continuous stream of deception and misinformation that makes its way into your schools, newspapers and favorite web sites, I promise you, I have not forgotten or ignored this conflict, I can’t and won’t.

But it is not the only thing happening out this way.

Come see for yourself, and try the 2009 Shiraz.

Agree to Disagree

2011-08-28T13:22:00.001+03:00

It seems that most seem to agree to disagree and are willing to stand together in unity and agreement about disagreeing and being “against”, therefore become unified in their disagreement. So I guess we can state accurately that the “Cons” have it.

I observed last week at one of the “Glenn Beck events how right and left wing Jews stood together against someone (Glenn Beck) who was being Pro-Israel. I understand the suspicions and the various ideas and ideals surrounding these events, but I do not want to discuss that here.

I watched as Secular Israeli Jews and Arabs from the North demonstrated against Haredi housing in the Carmel region. Of course there were plenty anti Israel signs being shared by the crowds…. More unity!

I listen as various right wing factions in Israel fight to claim how their way is the right way, while various factions among the Arabs in Gaza fight amongst themselves as to who shot the missiles into Israel.

While traveling around the US, I am told how I won’t be allowed to speak because I live over the “Green” line, in a…cringe!...settlement. But in the same breath how Arab activists who are not the best friends of Israel are invited to speak.

I stood by as Young Congressmen are taken to Ramallah to meet “Palestinian” leaders who speak of not recognizing Israel as a Jewish state and even as Israel as the “target”, while not being taken to the Jewish communities…all of this sponsored by Jewish Organizations.

I was even told by an unnamed right wing activist that I have to choose between the right side or the wrong side…basically his way or no way. Which I found amusing because I have always been told I was on the Right side of Israeli politics…silly me.

I am reminded of math class from Junior High School…something about two negatives making a positive?

We have become so talented at disagreeing with one another, at fighting with one another, we even cause more damage to ourselves than those that wish us gone from the earth. This has not gone unnoticed.

It’s not fair… we have to leave something for our enemies to do besides just mopping up our remains. Be considerate for “Pete’s sake! (BTW, Who is Pete?) If we are going to keep on going against each other, who is going to left to care for us, who is going to be left to “love” us? C’mon! Get real!

The Arabs are demonstrating against their governments… getting killed, but still demonstrating. A lot of disagreement there for sure, they bomb each other, kill each other indiscriminately daily, at least they can agree on one thing…and that will always keep them together, their hatred towards Israel and the Jews.

Left Hand, Right Hand

2011-08-17T14:52:00.002+03:00

Left Hand, Right Hand…working against each other.

As the mystique of the unknown bears closer, the plot thickens, or more accurately said, sickens. I am speaking about “September”, in all of its possibilities and lack of.

For today, (so far) it is official that the “Palestinian Authority” plans on seeking UN approval for statehood on September 20^th.

Now that it is settled, all that remains is how to react, simple, right?

It has been said that man is most creative during desperate times, I would like to add that man also reaches new levels of lunacy during these same times.

Many have already heard of a few of the possible reactions to such a declaration, the cancellation of the Oslo Accords, Annexation of Judea and Samaria, yelling at them “Bad Boy then huffing away… and so on to name a few.

Indeed the IDF is working hard at preparing for the various numbers of possible scenarios. Mass public demonstrations, both “peaceful” and not, the outbreak of violence, the renewal of the “Intifada” on a far more intense and grand level than the previous years, are just a few of the more gentle examples.

I am less concerned about the actions the Arabs plan to take against the Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria, we have seen it before, we will not be surprised, I am alarmed and “concerned” at some of the solutions being discussed.

Solutions of appeasement and complacency rather than stopping the violence seem to be getting the attention and ear of Senior IDF and Knesset members.

A few days ago it was reported that one of the possibilities that a court jester offered up was to release prisoners associated with the Palestinian Authority who are being held on terror charges as a gesture of “Good Will” prior to the declaring of this new façade of an entity. Of course this also comes in a package, the other part being further removal of other security measures designed to protect Israel and the Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria.

To add to this masterpiece of comedy, it has now been suggested to further arm and release more weapons to the “P.A.” Security Forces. This “confidence measure” is being discussed so that these “forces” will hold back the expected mass demonstrations from attacking Israeli checkpoints. No mention of course of holding back on Israeli communities in our heartland.

Despite recent history, and a normal thought process, and going against every logical and educated understanding of the Arab world and its mindset, there are actually people in key positions who back this idiocy.

I do not consider them to be naïve, nor ignorant. I truly believe that there are nefarious motives at heart. I am not being paranoid, nor am I harboring any conspiracy theory, it is not who I am. I feel this to be part of the ongoing fight that the “Left Wing” in Israel is waging against the Jewish communities and Jewish populous of the heartland of the entire Jewish people.

I’m sorry, no one, I mean, no one can be that stupid as to think that if Israel further arms the Arabs of Judea and Samaria, removes essential roadblocks and more, that they will be so happy and confident in Israel that they will keep the “peace” as the Arab mobs sweep towards our communities and crossings.

I ask forgiveness if I do not have the verbal finesse and eloquence of the popular and talented writers and “bloggers” who frequent cyberspace. I admit that I observe these “solutions” from ground level, but I remember a decade ago. I remember dealing with the results and the same mistakes those who offer these solutions back in the year 2000.

I remember the daily firefights on our roads and the attempted infiltrations and attempts and successes at pure unadulterated murder, at the hands and by the weapons handed over by our own Israeli politicians and generals.

I stand witness today to those in the IDF and Ministry of Defense who wish to continue to protect and defend our people while a few doors down from their offices stand those who do not value nor wish to uphold that position.

One side stands up to our enemies, while the other motivates them, and worst, arms them… while we slumber.

Indeed, September holds to be an interesting time for all of us, where will you be?

Jew! He shouted

2011-06-27T19:38:00.000+03:00

“A little boy about age 12 shouted Jew, Jew! Every shout brought tens of people…then they started throwing blocks…”

Statements like this have been heard throughout the ages, since Israel was destroyed and the Jews exiled over 2000 years ago. This report could have been made in Spain of the 1400’s, Poland, and Germany, all of Europe till World War 2, Norwich, England in the 13^th century and so many other places. But it wasn’t from “way back when” this report happened a few days ago in an Arab occupied section of Jerusalem.

A continuing symptom and result of approved “Jew bashing” in the world theatre and a weak and divided Israeli government and psyche.

Nauseating, disgusting, frightening, Agreed. Isolated? Not at all. It is a peek into continued possible future scenarios, and not just in Israel, but coming to neighborhood near you soon.

What happens to and in Israel affects Jews throughout the world, even if they don’t like Israel, even if they consider themselves apart from Israel.

Think of it as the “Big Picture.”

Many Jews of the world continue to fool themselves into thinking that if Israel gives up its heartland, Judea and Samaria to the Arabs, everything will be “nice”: once the Arabs declare a new state, peace and harmony will rule. Then you have some others who say, let’s just disconnect from “them” already. Who is “them”? the Arabs? Hello? Arabs are living in Israel, so whom are you disconnecting from?

Of course let’s not forget all of our “enlightened” who continue to disconnect themselves and their children from their own history, or their commitment to Israel. This is not just limited to the “Liberal” camp, but to many who consider themselves to be “religious Jews” also.

Israel’s heart is being thrashed, it is being heralded as a soon attainable prize to be quartered among our enemies, all of our enemies. A sacrifice on an impure altar.

A call has been made, the gauntlet has been thrown down to the ground in challenge to all Jews, supporters and friends of Israel around the world…Fatah, PLO, Palestinian Authority, whatever name you choose, now claims they will demand statehood on the lands (at this stage) that make up Jewish history and heritage, they will ask the world to support them in this demand. Any being with a hint of brain cells know it will not stop there…but how far will it go, how far will the ripples reach?

As Israel gets violated in the world so do Jews all over the world. The strategy of keeping quiet and being a “good little Jew” will not hold out for long. Sure you can claim that you are a Rights activist, you support Woman’s Rights, Gay Rights, Porcupine rights, “down with Israel,” “Free Gaza,” whatever you are doing to hide and fit in, not make waves. Anything, so your professor will notice you in UC Irvine, Yale or Columbia, you need to be hip, and you need to be “in”. You can even wait behind various closed walls in “Kosher” corners and “clubs.”

This “call”, this Gauntlet, this challenge has been thrown down at YOUR feet, and inaction, ignorance and ignoring is not an option.

This particular time in history is just another part of the roller coaster ride we all take part in, whether we are belted in for the ride is the question, and if not, how many loops we can survive.

The world has become quite divided over the “Israel Question”, how such a little piece of land can influence and affect so many is truly a wonder. Many in the world think Israel is so large compared to our neighbors, it must be, and it’s in the papers every day, if not for the volatile nature of the region then for some life saving, ground breaking technology. Only a world power gets that attention, yes that we are.

Impostors from all over the world make for our shores, as lies become truths and ignorance is hailed as enlightenment.

Our little country has made more of a positive impact on this world than most countries put together, and we have done this in less than 70 years of renewed existence.

Judea and Samaria is the backbone of this country, it is the history and the future of our people and all who consider themselves friends and supporters. It is also the target of all who hate Israel, all who hate the Jewish people, all who hate, or do not appreciate their own identity.

That continues to be hidden from many of the Jewish people, on purpose.

To conclude…It has been forecast that this process of calling for a new Arab state will bring renewed violence to the region, what else is new, I know, boring. What is not boring is how it will affect the Jewish communities and the Jewish people around the world. What is also not boring is how it will affect the entire world.

All will be accomplices, all will be responsible.

Payback will be interesting and all will contribute and all will be affected, whatever they choose to do or not do.

We have a choice, a chance, choose the right direction and remain strong with Israel. The alternative is not pretty.

Now is late, but not too late.

Yawning Chasms, or the Philosophical Disenfranchisement of Israel

2011-06-13T20:25:00.001+03:00

Recent polls (for those that believe in the tooth fairy) have shown the dark side of the relationship between American and Israeli Jews, given what is claimed to be the opinion held by the majority of US Jewry. According to these polls, 78% of American Jewry back Obama’s plan for Peace between Israel and the Arabs of Judea and Samaria, and on the contrary side 77% of Israelis not only disagree, but many if not most (not including Ha’Aretz readers) are against giving up land to the Arabs of Judea and Samaria for a supposed Peace deal.

I think this brings up a very serious issue that involves us all as a people and a nation. Many will jump to say that this division has the taste of a bent mutiny or an existential split among us, maybe… and if so, what has caused it? Has US Jewry simply thrown Israel to the lions while putting their trust in the most “anti-Israel” US President in history?

I do not think it is a question of trust, but rather of dis- and misinformation.

Before our very eyes, organizations such as J Street, New Israel Fund, Americans for Peace Now, and so many others target the ignorant Jews of the diaspora. Indeed, they take advantage of their lack of understanding and knowledge of our history and heritage, and of their naiveté regarding Israel’s complicated and simple situation.

This vast chasm of opinion should be setting off alarms everywhere within the Jewish community. The topic is not only Israel’s safety and survival, policy, and religious affiliation, but also pertains to our combined future.

The results of this division go far beyond the realm of the sane. Israel, as a country, has grown up in the shadow of threat; the fight for survival has therefore been branded into the psyche of most Israelis. It is not paranoia that guides Israel - it is a proven reality.

Everyday we see a new group lambasting Israel, boycotting, divesting. Whether these cat calls come from a boutique distillery in Scotland or from one of the boutique educational US institutions (Yale or Columbia and so on), they reflect and are a direct result of this same division that has been heralded and propagated by Israel’s enemies and our deceived own.

Many diaspora Jews are being taught and manipulated to distance themselves from Israel, they are being taught they are not part of the Israeli nation, and to spoil all, they are being enlisted by Israel’s enemies to act against the Jewish country.

With little actual knowledge of history or factual current events from both sides of the coin, they are taking up a cause that will prove deadly to their future. Unfortunately, the main accomplices in this crime are mainstream Jewish organizations and “leaders” today that only teach one side of our “conflict” and refuse to give equal billing or “touring” of Israel so as to gain an informed opinion, rather than Arab-infused propoganda aimed only at our destruction.

Perhaps the fear of Aliyah is one of the motives behind the helm, perhaps the fear of being Jewish in an increasingly hostile environment has a hand. Maybe they want to just “fit in”. Nevertheless, alarming amounts of our people are joining an enemy that does not share their values, their hopes, or their future.

One might say the joke is on them, as they are trying to join or be part of a club that really doesn’t want them, their new peers and allies are laughing at them as the noose that they have placed around their own necks grows tighter…one might say.

Hypocrisy has reached new levels, idiocy knows no limits…alas… new characteristics of diaspora Jews in the eyes of our Muslim neighbors, both in and outside of Israel.

In this “bizarro” world of so called “progressive “ and “liberal” Jewish thought, their intentions and actions are leading to their demise, and unfortunately, many innocents will be harmed also. The light they claim to see at the end of the tunnel is not social redemption or justice, it is an oncoming freight train packed with explosives.

Just a quick clarification… I have put progressive and liberal in quotes above as I feel that the words are being misused and twisted into a perverted form, hence “bizarro”.

This growing battle must be fought, and fought to win, by all of us.

As the rise of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel actions continue to reach withering heights, many will discover there is no place to hide, and no place to run (except Israel). Many will discover that the “Court Jew” will no longer be welcome, even in the sacred halls of Columbia and Yale.

Perhaps then, they will realize the true meaning of “there is no place like home”.

Opportunity

2011-05-24T07:57:00.004+03:00

I had the opportunity to speak this afternoon to a group of American students who have just graduated high school. What is unique about their school in the US is that it is described as “pluralistic”. It was enjoyable and motivating, as their minds were open and thirsty, it was upsetting as I saw how they were being deceived and misinformed.

The discussion was not political, it was simply a discussion about opinions, possibilities and thought. These students are supposedly being taught about Israel and our “situation”, they came to Israel to connect to their history and learn, yet they are not allowed to see other sides for themselves, more specifically, the "Right" side. The excuse given is that insurance prices are too high to allow them to visit Judea and Samaria…how convenient.

When we discussed where would the Jews from Judea and Samaria move if, Gd forbid transferred due to an Israeli surrender, their response was… “Trailer parks could be set up, just like the ones they live in now”. The last time I checked, Shilo, Bet El, and Efrat were not trailer parks, neither were the majority of our communities. This is what they are being told, thetruth is being hidden from them…on purpose. How can we expect proper opinions to be formed when our children, our future, are being deceived and misinformed?

After my talk they went to hear a “spokesman” of the PA in Notre Dam in Jerusalem, he refused to come to Beit Shmuel, the center for Reform Judaism in Jerusalem (located on the old border), this they weren’t told at first. The ruse plays on!

As I was leaving, I was surrounded by many of them thanking me for the talk. They expressed such gratitude for hearing a “pro-Israel” speech. I was especially troubled when many of them stated they felt like outsiders in the group for having strong Zionist feelings and feeling connected to our heartland.

This is unfortunately not rare, but common practice among many Israel High School, Birth Right and other educational programs in Israel. It seems that the only students and programs run by “Religious” organizations come out to Judea and Samaria. Why is our history and heritage not being shared with all of our people? Why are the secular organizations keeping our children in the dark? Why are they being subjugated to a limited or mostly one-sided view rather than the full picture?

Seems like someone has some nefarious motives up their sleeves….

It is time to confront the leaders of Conservative and Reform Judaism, and any others who are keeping our people away from their birthright and heritage and ask why are they limiting and keeping our children from their right to choose and see their own heritage and history for themselves. I grew up in the bastion of the Conservative Jewish world, Camp Ramah, USY, the whole 9 yards, I was never taught to be afraid, nor was I taught that all of Israel wasn't a part of me, on the contrary, we were taught the opposite.

Judea and Samaria is the story of all the Jewish people, of all the Jewish people.

The Road to Chaos - Part 2

2011-05-22T14:45:00.003+03:00

Most elected leaders are simply moments in time, they come, and they go. One common denominator that they share is that most have the ability and opportunity to either better a situation or run it into the ground.

I am amazed at the reactions of surprise to Obama’s speech. Did he really state anything new that we did not realize already? He is following the same path he started down since his election and speech in Cairo, with the same distain towards Israel that he has always had, nothing new here.

An air of panic is being thrown about as the current US President Obama has truly sided against Israel. Yes, truly sided against Israel in that he knows very well what he is demanding. He is even planning a “marketing” and advertising trip to Europe to build more support for his plan. Many like to say, “he doesn’t understand”, “his advisors are at fault”, give the guy some credit, he does and can think for himself, he knows exactly what he is doing.

I will not use this article to express the dangers of the “Obama Speech”, many have already done that far better than I.

If we pretend that there are patriotic motives behind the Prez’s thoughts, then we can safely assume that President Obama simply feels that it is better to have the Arabs as an ally rather than Israel. That is his right to think that way… after all he is entitled to his own opinion. The fact that he lied to his Jewish voters is not his fault either… after all he is still a politician. Take away the fact that pretty much all of the Arab leaders have lost respect for him and no longer trust him after he fooled them also, and you may come around to his way of thinking, maybe. The US may be on it’s way to a major facial change, much like Europe, or Eurabia as known today, and he is simply preparing and positioning the US better for a new possibility. That is, if we pretend that there are patriotic motives.

Obama is trying to become the champion of the latest buzz…the “Arab Spring”. Of course he is choosing who may live and who may die. Libyans count, Syrians don’t, Egyptians count, Bahraini’s, Iranians don’t, and so on and so on. He has misread the Arab world.

I once wrote an article titled “Lawrence of Palestine” referring to Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton, as he built up the new Arab army within Israel, perhaps the US admin became jealous of the title, perhaps they are looking to be the reincarnation of Salah al Din in this day and age.

Basically President Obama has nothing to lose, he has proved himself a disappointment to pretty much all who voted for him, besides Oprah, some Hollywood folk and the Muslim population of the US, so why not go for it? Chance of a lifetime, create a new Middle East and go down in history.

On the other side of the world, Bibi wants to get reelected and realizes that Israel is in dire need of a leader with a spine, he also knows that Obama will be out soon enough, so why not say “no”. This is Bibi’s chance to actually prove his sincerity regarding Israel’s security. Of course the fact that Obama’s wishes would endanger Israel and its entire populace, besides throwing the Middle East into chaos are present also…somewhere.

There is more at work here than caring for the rights or ambitions of a so-called “Palestinian Arab” people. Convenient isn’t it how Jordan is ignored, after all Jordan is 73% “Palestinian. The only difference is that the “ruler” over that country and land is a Muslim and not Jew.

Another interesting fact often overlooked is that there are over 500,000 Jews living over the pre June 1967 cease fire lines, Obama seems to be pro “Jew Free” Arab state, that’s not very liberal of him. Cleansing todays Jews from such an area is not as easy as it sounds, and BTW, the 1949 – 1967 “border” was a cease-fire line, not a border… the border was the Jordan River as proclaimed by the “world” back in 1922. The “West Bank” is from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. So when the Arabs ask for the “West Bank” of the Jordan, you can be sure they know what they are saying and demanding.

Israel and the Jewish people as a whole have come to a crossroads in time and history, the façade of the “Peace Process” has duped many if not most. What is being discussed is Israel’s future, something that the diaspora players in the game are all aware of. What they are not aware of is the danger they are putting Israel and the Jewish people in.

Most are even too afraid to even visit the region discussed and live in ignorance regarding Israel. They will bear responsibility to the consequences, and so will their children and their children’s children.

Any supposed solution to this situation will not happen over night, over months or over years. By that time leaders will have changed, concepts, consequences and realities will appear different than they are today. Nothing stays the same, nor does the “Status Quo”. Maybe more people will open their eyes and hearts by then.

No leader is being naïve, no leader is being ignorant, motives are quite clear and the target is in sight.

The stage is being set for the next round…we decide on which show we will see.

A Day in May

2011-05-06T17:51:00.000+03:00

The dirt on the graves of those recently murdered for being Jews has yet to dry as we head into another Memorial Day in Israel. Far from the sales at Best Buy, this day in Israel is one of the most solemn. There is almost no one who is not touched by this day, who has not lost, known or heard of someone who has given his life, be it physically or spiritually.

We gather at memorial ceremonies from the past, both near and far, and we have no choice but to think about the future. After all, didn’t we fall for the sake of the future?

“Yom Ha’Zikaron” is not the day to speak of the wonderful achievements of Israel, how we achieved in 63 years what other countries would never and have never achieved in a lifetime – or ever. It is not the day to speak of how Israel has changed the world for the better, how so many owe their lives to Israel, how most people in the world benefit from Israel’s existence daily.

The day is very personal to us as individuals, as communities, as a country and as a people. We the Jewish people all share the reasons that our people have sacrificed their lives for…that of our country, our history, and our heritage, Israel.

I would prefer to say the near future is rosy, but as the many politicians gamble with our lives, making feeble attempts to bring peace while ignoring reality, I view the near future as possibly extracting a heavy cost. Not the cost of prestige that the politicians, the “Rights Activists” fight for, but the cost of future memorial ceremonies on this hallowed terrible day.

Past and Recent graves cannot be ignored or forgotten, nor visited only one day a year. We must constantly remind ourselves, our families, our friends, and those that claim to be our leaders, that these people paid a price that we all share.

It is our responsibility never to forget that no matter where we live, or whichever side of the ocean.

We of course follow “Yom Ha’Zikaron” with the day where we are able to see, feel, enjoy and be grateful, “Yom Ha’Atzmaut”, Independence Day. Because we know that the direction taken, that of having a country for our nation, a haven for the tribe, the only one around, where membership has its dues, while maybe not being the smoothest, dare I say an extremely rocky road, is the right one, but the return is wonderful.

This year, let us try to remember our heroes, our family, our friends, our people, one people with renewed strength and dedication, to move forward, to accomplish that which we have prayed for, to live in our land, all of our land, and to continue to grow and be a light.

After all that’s what Israel does best.

The Shortcut to Chaos (Part One)

2011-04-30T23:46:00.001+03:00

The shock of the ignorant this week came as the PLO and Hamas announced reconciliation, a truce, a joining of forces.

Surprise, surprise, surprise.

The Netanyahu government quickly shouted back…either Israel or Hamas, as Abu Mazen shouted back Settlements or Peace…alas, the blind leading the blind.

It would seem that we are at an impasse, and it is time to choose which direction we will head and who will join us.

With most of the world siding against Israel, many of our own Jewish people duped by our enemies into forming a partnership of hatred and ignorance, who could be surprised at the state we’ve arrived at.

Almost every Arab nation is on the verge of a deluge of havoc, with the familiar shouts to rise up against Israel being heard throughout the Middle East while being hushed in other parts of the world. Egypt now plans to open its border with Gaza, most probably allowing an unprecedented volume of arms, and warns Israel not to interfere. It made sense that the Arab leadership in Israel would now try to save their own necks by joining forces, as the possibility of destroying Israel seems now to be closer than ever in their distorted vision.

It is no coincidence that all this occurs as, in Israel, we stand to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day this week. Our neighbors would have been happier if the goals of the holocaust had been reached, and now perhaps they sense that they may be able to finish the job that they have been attempting since the start of the 20^th century.

Again I mention and remind all of the unholy alliance of the PLO and Hamas, two organizations started and maintained to achieve only one goal, the elimination of Israel.

Despite all this, the weak, the treacherous and the misguided among us call for Israel to “redeem” itself by recognizing, that which does not exist within our borders…a “Palestinian” state.

It is not only the direction we must choose, we must now choose which side to join, those that wish to destroy Israel or those that wish to build Israel.

It is that simple.

Stockholm/Oslo

2011-04-30T20:39:00.001+03:00

The distance between Stockholm and Oslo is a little over 500 kilometers. In Israel however they seem to converge together.

According to Wikipedia: In psychology, Stockholm syndrome is a term used to describe a paradoxical psychological phenomenon wherein hostages express empathy and have positive feelings towards their captors. These feelings are generally considered irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims, who essentially mistake a lack of abuse from their captors as an act of kindness.

What more accurate description can be used to describe the “Peace Process” and its activists today in Israel? For that matter, the world also in its unique relationship with radical Islam? Is it not PC to wear a “Kafiyeh” (Arab Head covering) and support your local extremist calling for the end of Israel, while the same extremists are against every basic human right and principle that most “enlightened” people stand for?

In Israel we watch as demands are presented by those whose only true wish is to bring about the death [demise] of the Jewish State, and we are berated both from outside and within when we protest the danger to our people.

In the world of “I told ya so”, we are also champs. Our neighbors spiral out of control, wending their ways into the hands of various “Brotherhoods” who share a cry and demand to rise against Israel. We gave up Sinai, our buffer, only to read - too late, now-that Egypt is opening the border to Gaza. Our Syrian buddy to the north (Assad) is called a coward for not fighting Israel over the Golan as he murders countless numbers of his own people. Jordan’s “ Palestinian” majority growls in wait of taking their rightful place at the helm on our eastern border.

The “wise ones” at State have finally decided and furthermore even stated publicly that they feel that Syria is no longer a viable “Partner for Peace”, and are surprised at the Abbas/Haniyeh embrace of love handles. They get the big “Duh” award!

Yes, this coming from many of the same people who decided to fund and equip Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, the Extreme Islamists in Libya and, let us not forget, our own little PLO/Hamas Army in Israel. I might have over-stepped myself in putting the PLO and Hamas together…they haven’t signed their little paper yet.

Euphoria is in the air… the possibility of attacking and defeating Israel seems closer than it’s been since way back when, in 1973. Even the locals are entranced and caught up in the melee, celebrating even as we mourned the senseless and evil slaughter of two parents and three children, guilty of being Jewish…the 4 month old baby’s crime: crying, deserving of being stabbed through the heart. Let us not forget open season on Jews making their own way to Joseph’s Grave in Shechem (Nablus).

As the truth of our neighbors’ intentions rear their ugly head, a small phalanx of Israeli “intellectual illuminati” call for the gallows from Tel Aviv in their support of a “Palestinian State”…. hmmm, intellectuals?

Wait! Hold your breath! Bibi has yet to speak!

So that’s where we stand right now…not a pretty picture I know, but that’s how it is. We should be thankful that at least we (at least those of us that have the ability to see and hear) are able to see what others have in mind for us. This may enable us to act, wisely, hopefully, Gd willing. If we are smart enough, maybe we can prevent the “bad” from happening.

Some have even called these events a Blessing in Disguise. The problem is, sometimes the disguise is too good.

So Stockholm syndrome is alive and well and living in Israel…for now, but not for much longer.

Anger and Frustration

2011-03-14T10:11:00.001+02:00

The pictures of the attack in Itamar bring back the nightmares of the last round of violence during the uprising that started in the year 2000. Even then, people refused to realize the horror and intensity of the attacks. Many of these attacks were not even shown to the world, let alone our people.

Our Arab foes do not have courage, do not have honor, they never did, and who knows if they ever will. I am not being derogatory, simply factual. Arab terror prefers the weak, the unarmed as targets, and as shields. Do they not use schools and hospitals as staging grounds for attacks?

The rebellions in the Arab nations and their history prove these points, their own treatment of their own populations show us that, INCLUDING how they treat their brethren in Judea and Samaria.

This is what many of them are rebelling about!

What a fitting end to Israel Apartheid Week, by showing the world who gets hailed as a hero in the Arab world, just as these heinous celebrations in Gaza, Ramallah, Nablus and other places prove. Their leaders hesitate to condemn this attack or do so while explaining how it is “understandable” and these same Arab leaders are the same people our own weak minded, misdirected, deceived youth in college campuses flock to. These are the new heroes of so-called “Liberal thinkers”, these are the people who get invited to so many Jewish events, and these are the speakers at J STREET and other and ignorant and self hating organizations.

My own personal frustration regarding this particular attack comes from my own experience in the Security world. I watch the outpouring of hearts from around the world to bond with the remaining members of this dear family. The majority of the Jewish world is crying, and giant efforts are being made to assist the family in any need they may have.

WHAT ABOUT PREVENTING ATTACKS LIKE THESE?

Why do we only wake up when we are victims, why will we only see major efforts being made then?

Of course we come across those who say, Jews shouldn’t be there, then this would not have happened… really? Has terror against Israel only started in 1967? Has it only been limited to Judea and Samaria? All of this is ONLY because we are in our historic homeland? How ignorant can someone be?

I know, VERY ignorant.

I am frustrated and angry because I have worked years at trying to convince our own that we must protect our people, we must defend and fight against our enemies, just like anyone else in this world!

The concept of Jews defending themselves and standing up to their enemies is still relatively foreign to many outside of Israel, even to a few inside of Israel.

Defense and Strength are multi dimensional, and each side must be addressed and dealt with. Standing up to Politicians, Hate groups, wrongful legislatures are only a few of the dimensions. Building, populating, LIVING are more, and my realm; Security is another.

I am frustrated that we act only “after” and not “before”. Why do most people not realize that the point is to PREVENT and STOP terror attacks against us?

We have proven to the world that we excel at being victims, our Arab neighbors have even jumped on the bandwagon, they figure it worked for the Jews, “why not us?” Except in this case they have duped an entire generation and world from seeing just who is really victimizing whom, these Arab leaders have hidden themselves from the world and their own people’s eyes. They have portrayed the Jews and Israel as enemies (for years and generations) to veer attention away from their own despicable acts against their own and humanity.

As parents we try to safeguard our children, we do whatever necessary and then some. We take precautions regarding our property and watching over those dear to us. We try to prevent problems from occurring, we are considered wise and “sharp” if we have the insight to foresee possible problems and act in a pro-active manner.

Shouldn’t it be the same in how we act towards our people in Israel?

I know standing up and defending yourself and people is not for everyone, I know fighting back against terror doesn’t speak to most. Many people feel easier comforting victims or the hurt. Many even prefer this.

I would like to prevent more of our people from becoming victims… I would like to stop the hurt. I would like to fund projects that may prevent attacks from occurring and watch children grow, marry, and become parents. I know, many of you are saying, “he’s a dreamer.”

No I am not a dreamer, I “hang” with a bunch of people (and majority of a country) who feel and act the same way, I also know that many of you reading this feel the same way.

We can make this happen. Lets make this happen!

Chesed (Kindness) has always been known as a Jewish characteristic,

Gevorah (strength) is also.

No More Jewish Victims!

A Rant

2011-03-07T11:22:00.000+02:00

Defend, defend, and defend! Stand up for Israel! Israel advocacy etc. etc. and etc. Prevent world isolation, it goes on and on and on and on.

It’s gotten that you can’t walk down the street without stepping in it.

How do we fight back? We try to prove how nice we are, how good we are, what we have done for the world, for society… We support the downtrodden, the underdog, the weak.

Guess what, no one cares!

This is not a contest between who has done more, or who is right or wrong!

It’s not about occupying land or people, (if it was Jordan would have been renamed by now).

It is not a popularity contest.

It is about bringing change to the State of Israel, and that change is to either to erase it, cease its’ identity as a Jewish state or to remain a Strong Independent Jewish State in the Land of Israel.

That’s it, no more, no less. Not a paranoid statement, not theory or theology, not political jargon, just reiterating what our Arab neighbors and Arab residents of Judea and Samaria have been saying all along (mostly in Arabic, so much gets lost in translation).

With a sea of change and turmoil going on around us, there are calls, demands for Israel to act now and immediate to come to a “Peace” agreement. I ask is it wise to purchase an apartment from someone who isn’t the owner?

Enough with trying to prove who is nicer…

Having Jewish kids abused on US college campuses, Pro Israel Jews afraid to speak their views in their own synagogues, defending the only real democracy in the Middle East, making excuses for defending our lives and the lives of our loved ones, it is enough!

Time to take the ball into the other court!

Let the Arabs defend against the wholesale murder of their own people (daily)!

Let the Arabs defend against mass Human Rights abuse.

Let the Arabs explain the lack of women’s rights (and so many other rights) in their society.

Let the Arabs explain their specialty and habit of targeting civilian populations.

Let the Arabs explain why they continue to teach their children that Israel is to be wiped off the map and why it is ok to kill Jews.

Let the Arabs explain why they refuse to let Jews live among them.

Let the Arabs explain that and so much more.

Let the supporters of these Arabs explain why they support everything that goes against their own philosophies or are they just biased against Israel?

No more, it is time for THEM to explain, and it is time for our own Jewish people to wise up and fight back.

We can’t make the “world” like us as long as the “world” is afraid.

Time to be strong. If someone has to defend themselves, it is the Arabs and the Muslims, not us.

Better late than never.

2011-03-03T08:42:00.003+02:00

Taking Back Zionism…that’s what the party was called. It was put on by Birthright Israel Alumni in the beginning of February in New York. The party and the concept sound great!

"[W]e have handed over the word [Zionism] to those who attack and distort it." ~ Rebecca Sugar, Birthright Alumni Director on February 1, 2011.

"Contemporary discourse seeks to narrowly define Zionism and attack it by limiting its scope," campaign organizers wrote on the website. "We refuse to accept others' definitions and misrepresentations. We seek to Take Back Zionism and define it in our own terms, as a young generation who loves Israel."

Wow! Them’s fightin’ words! I have some questions first… Who took Zionism away from you? Who did you hand it to and why?

The way I understand part of the statement is that there is a wish to make Jews Zionists again and redefine it into terms for a younger generation who do not know what Zionism is and who loves Israel.

Again…wow! Shai Baitel (Bet El?) defined it nicely; “Zionism is the legitimate aspiration of the Jewish people to live in peace in their own country. At the beginning it was an almost romantic but pained longing for Zion, for Jerusalem and today it is the continuing effort to building the future of Israel. People from all walks of life and political convictions came together to work on the Jewish national project. Zionism was the national project, the impetus, the driving force to create the State of Israel.”

I don’t know about anyone else, but that seems to provide and understandable and appropriate definition to me, and probably to most others who believe in the Jewish State of Israel.

I agree that this meaning has been lost to so many, and the concept is foreign to many Jews outside of Israel -and even to some in Israel. So if there is a redefinition needed, this is going to take some serious R&D, especially regarding Israel and the Jewish people today.

Those who “attack and distort” Zionism today include pretty much all of the Arab nations and the majority of the Arab people, much of the Muslim population of the world, the majority of Europeans, many others and I am sorry to say, many Jewish people today.

It is obvious Birthright wishes to connect Jews once again with Israel, especially now with the majority of the world rising up against Israel, havoc breaking loose among Israels’ neighbors, and anti-Jewish remarks becoming the norm to come out of Hollywood.

That is quite the challenge: to take back Zionism, redefine it, and make it acceptable to the “young generation”.

I think I can save some time in the process…no need to redefine it; it works, always has.

In my travels and various speaking events among the different walks of the diverse Jewish community, both young, old, and in between, I have seen how Zionism was not given away, but was stolen away. By using the tools of deceit and manipulation, this once cherished value of mainstream Judaism was disguised, distorted and eventually morphed into the limited and faint dream it is today.

I call Birthright as my first witness… Birthright trips do not even attempt to go the historical sites of the Jewish people in Judea and Samaria, our heartland no less. Citing politics as the reason, sometimes throwing in the “danger” card, this wonderful organization has been an accomplice to the same crime they wish to amend. They have helped accommodate a physical and mental “Disengagement” from Jewish heritage and history. The derogatory and wrongful use of the term “Settler” has been applied to all of those living beyond the “Green Line”.

Playing into the hands of political parties and enemies who oppose the existence of the State of Israel, Birthright, despite its good and noble intentions, has helped distort “Zionism” today.

Various Mainstream Jewish Religious “Leaders”… have decided that if Jews are not “Orthodox” then they should be on the “Left Wing” of Israeli politics, and have kept their flocks from visiting and experiencing the places that are part of who we are today. Events and Itineraries have been manipulated into a podium for those who only share a one-sided, often biased outlook regarding our connection to the Land of Israel.

So many non-Orthodox Jews today feel that they are a minority if they support a Jewish presence or right to live in Judea and Samaria, or the meaningful Zionism mentioned above. Despite that, there are still many strong Zionist Jews in these congregations. Many of their leaders have adopted a post-Zionist approach and side now with the likes of J-Street, Meretz and other similar groups. The list can go on and on. It's far from what Camp Ramah and USY used to teach.

Yes, BirthRight Israel, take back Zionism, but also stop letting it get stolen from you, stop letting it be kept from you, open your eyes, it is right in front of you, it has not changed, insist on seeing your history, your heritage the next time you are in Israel. Zionism is alive and well.

Chazak v’Ametz (Strength and Courage)!

If you need, I would be honored to assist. I’m listed….

Thom Foolery

2011-02-02T10:31:00.002+02:00

Good ol’ Doubting Thomas of the New York Times is at it again, and right on time I might say. His topic this week is a “Israeli-Palestinian peace deal more urgent than ever” and how Israel must seize this opportunity to make “Peace” with the “Palestinians”.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/02/opinion/02friedman.html

He feels ands “fears” that Israel will make the situation worse if the arguments set forth by senior advisors, both diplomatic and military, that a “lasting peace” cannot be made with the “Palestinians”. That it would be wrong and dangerous.

Why is it more urgent Thomas? So that we may endanger ourselves even more?

Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, what is your problem? Do you not do any research? Do you not understand what the Egyptians, Tunisians, Jordanians, Iraqis and all the other Arabs are demonstrating about? Do you not understand that they want to live in dignity rather than being oppressed by their own? They want some of the same opportunities that others have, they would like to be able to be paid a fair wage, to buy enough food for themselves and maybe even buy an X-Box for their kids. How do you connect this with trying to pressure Israel into a Peace Agreement that wouldn’t be honored anyway by any extreme Islamic government?

If you would check out the “Palestinian” street, I don’t mean the brainwashed zombies you like to hang with, but rather the thinking middle class, you would find that they know all too well just who is oppressing them, and who is paying them low salaries, and guess what, you would find out that it is their own people who they put in Government. Even more, you might find that this practice of abusing your own populous is common in the Arab world.

What are those little gremlins telling you?

Perhaps your good friends in Ramallah are lying to you?

It is a curious and sad fact that so many supposed caring individuals and groups in the world are taking advantage of a horrible situation in Egypt and the rest of the Arab world and trying to use it to push Israel and the Jews living here into a situation that all agree is even more dangerous.

It is despicable.

Dominoes

2011-01-30T17:19:00.001+02:00

The world watches Egypt closely, Israel is watching even more so. The main concern is who will take power. The number one possibility at this point is the Moslem Brotherhood. Now that nice bunch of guys definitely has an agenda for this neck of the woods. First on their list is ending the Peace Treaty with Israel. This of course includes many sub-categories that do not ease the tensions, not only with the Israeli government, but also many Arab rulers and peoples.

We are seeing demonstrations in Jordan, starting out as Pro-Opposition for Egypt, but also including support for a new Arab state in Israel (or instead of Israel) and rights for the “Palestinian” people of Jordan, who BTW, make up over 70% of that country.

Nice peaceful Lebanon in the North with its new Hezbollah puppet in government seems to be bustin’ at the seams, with the possibility of reeling backward into a civil war once again.

All over the world, Arabs and other protestors are coming out into the street backing the Egyptian protestors, holding signs to oust Mubarak, and bring about reform. Reform? That is one word that may be debated.

And coming back to Israel, some of the Arabs of Israel are getting excited once again that Saladin (Salah al Din) will rise again from somewhere, eventually to cleanse the Jews from all of Israel.

I am concerned that the present US administration is showing such support for this uprising. Mubarak was never a friend to Israel, but he sure was not a friend to Islamic extremists. In fact none of the Arab leaders are a friend of Israel, but they are definitely not interested in loosing power to Extremist Islamic parties.

Now, every analyst or Mid East supposed expert in the world (as long as they live outside the Mid East, in safety) realizes that when an Arab dictator falls, the next step is not democracy. In fact it is usually a slide into extremism, that is, unless the US will station forces defending the “new” government.

There is indeed a domino effect and the question is where will the blocks fall?

As we mentioned before, it is simply a matter of time before the present Arab dictatorships change hands, yes change hands, as Democracy and Islam do not mix. First on the agenda of all of these new leaderships will not be a peaceful, fruitful relationship with the US, it will be quite the opposite. Western society tends not to understand the “Arab” street. I am sorry to inform you, it is not made up of the shiny happy people of the Upper West Side of NY, it is not lead by the Professors of Columbia U, nor is it occupied by the residents of Dearborn, Michigan. The residents of the “Arab street” are the mob, and who rules the mob will eventually be in power.

At present the rulers of this mob throughout the Arab world happen to be extreme Islamic parties, also known as Moslem Brotherhood, Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, and many other names. Learn these names, these will be the new rulers of the Arab regimes in the Middle East. These regimes will be put in power by the “mob”, whose uprising is getting support (at least publicly) from some Western powers.

Watch how we will see how this becomes the new cause on US campuses, along with continuing calls for Israel’s downfall. I know, some of you are saying, “crazy”, he’s extreme”, hey, it’s just a thought, a possibility, so play along with me for a bit.

Again, coming back to Israel for a sec, the calls from the Arab street and various Arab pundits are already being heard to oust Abbas from rule, rise against Israel, and so on, and so on, but this time the “mob” may have the verbal support of the US admin. Israel carefully watches the developments down on its southern border, as we all know where this may lead. In Jaffa the Arab demonstrations that include Left Wing Israeli Jews calls for a city free of Jews, this of may well spread. Yes, the Arab street is rising up against its enemies, and everyone is a candidate. To make matters worse…the message being sent out or at least understood from the White House is that they will support any uprising.

If I was to continue to play this game of possibilities, of conspiracies, of action novels, I might say that this all may fit into some sort of plan, a scheme if you will. One that places the Arab nations in the hands of the Islamic parties, a scheme that puts Israel in very real danger, and a plan that would have a definite effect on American and Western society as we know it…that is, if I were to continue to play this game.

And so the Dominoes continue to fall…

Civil War… Not on my shift.

2011-01-11T14:05:00.001+02:00

One of the looming and possible scenarios (spoken only in whispers) of the past and ongoing “Peace” process is that of the split of the Jewish Nation. This “worst case scenario” is a fear that most of us won’t even acknowledge as a possibility… therefore we place it in a hidden burrow in our mind. “It can’t happen”, “not possible”, “not to us”, are usually the words spoken when this topic is broached.

What are the symptoms that could lead to such a nightmarish reality? Diametrically opposed sides and philosophies? Outright public displays of hatred and violence between camps?

It should sound familiar. The headlines are full of examples. Our Jewish history is filled with these symptoms. Not just the symptoms, but the results also. Not just in bloodshed and the useless loss of life, but the exile of our people from our land.

So where are we now? Where are we heading?

Causing civil disruption and internal opposition within a society has always been viewed as and effective and efficient tool of war. To cause a split in a society that weakens the basic fabric of nationalistic goals is considered a victory and a devastating blow.

Often covert and hidden from the eyes of the public, this attack camouflages itself as an “advanced way of thinking”, “liberal thought”, and one that will better the world and we as a people. It can be adapted towards any cause, hence making it attractive to anyone. The desired result however is to cause dissention and civil strife.

A unified people are strong, so obviously the first step is to attack that unity, drive a wedge into their heart.

What is considered Israel’s “soft side” is being used as a “weak link”, this being our want of peace. Ironically this soft side is also one of Israel’s defining characteristics. Because Israel has been faced with war and terror since rebirth, the country and people’s thirst for peace weakens it in the eyes of its Arab neighbors. By making false promises of a peaceful existence and the use of unlimited funds, many Israelis were drawn to what is known as the “Peace Activists”. Being victorious in wars that were meant to destroy Israel and Operations meant to fight terror have been re-spun as to make Israel seem as the aggressor, this combined with the merciless exploitation of the Arab residents of Israel presents one of the most premeditated acts of deceit and straight out lies the Middle East has known.

Once viewed as the zenith of Zionistic efforts, “settling the land” was rebranded into “extremism” and religious fanaticism. Despite the facts on the ground, rifts were caused and separation started. Religious philosophies and worship were politicized and were no longer a personal matter.

Zionism was partitioned.

To skip ahead to today we see that most Israelis living in Israel do not accept the deception that is being presented. Experience from Lebanon, the Arab violence of 2000, the unrelenting attacks from Gaza, the Gaza retreat and expulsion of Jews has revealed the true intentions of our Arab neighbors. Indeed when offered 96% of Judea and Samaria, that too was turned down. It is common to see that the Arabs of Judea and Samaria are not talking just about that region but all of Israel. One only needs to look at their flags, their emblems, at their media, pay a visit to their market place, or step inside an elementary school for a look at their true intentions.

So the people of Israel, despite their known stubbornness began to realize that the “Left” was simply wrong regarding the Peace Process and the idea of a “Jewish” state was not really part of their picture.

So when different groups claim that US and European intervention is a necessity, there is a reason for their statements. Seeing their defeat in Israel, the Arab and anti Israel “spin” machine along with their PR, set off to find the next weakest link, it proved to be that of Diaspora Jewry. Where Israel’s PR or “Hasbara” department was simply a virtual concept, there was basically no unified body to stand up to the Arab juggernaut of illusion. Strategic mistakes at the onset of the Oslo talks made matters only worse and today we see an unmistaken divide among the Jewish people regarding Israel.

Many groups formed in Western Universities and they fell in line like a well disciplined company of Marines, and today we find that one of the most hostile anti Israel atmospheres today exists on the campuses of higher learning.

University students are prime targets, they are in fact the up and coming generation, most are also products of a lesser education when it comes to Israel, so deceiving them is not really a challenge, especially when many of the students do not come from a religiously observant background that might have exposed them to wider more informed view of Israel compared to other views.

Pro Israel movements have only begun to see the importance of these campus activities, and are now acting. The Israeli government is even beginning to wake up and take action, though not enough. Seeing their success on campus and looking to preempt more Pro Israel activity, Anti Israel and Post Zionist groups have begun to look towards the high schools also. Remember they operate under the guise that they are the elite, the intellectual and liberal leaders, the caring and champions of human rights. So doors are opening left and right, despite the truth.

One small factor that I left out, these anti Israel and “Post” Zionist groups have unlimited funds and are backed also by enemy states to Israel, the European Union, and many disillusioned Jews.

Yes, their goal is the division of Israel, both geographically and socially, with the eventual cessation of Israel as a Jewish State. That thought and possibility of Jews fighting against each other does not deter them, we have seen on some campuses the possibility of violence even fuels them, as good enemies should.

One of the largest challenges we face today is to stay together. We must keep an open, thoughtful dialogue flowing and deal with our differences on our own…as one. Our enemies rejoice at our internal bickering, and self inflicting harm and wounds, even more…they support and “help us” to hurt ourselves more. They pick out their targets and attack, as we look on and shout back at them like toddlers.

Time to stop, no more being a victim to their onslaught. It is time to regroup and rebuild and fight back. Sure we will have out differences, we will have our fights between each other, but it is up to us to mend them. We must not let our enemies continue to widen the rift… it is up to us to close it.

As we draw together, our strength will grow, and those that speak against Israel will wither.

They like to see strife and fighting and would love a civil war between the Jews, well…not on this shift.

The greatest fear adversaries of a Jewish State have is that of a unified people, lets give them what to be afraid of, what to be very afraid of.

The Great Mind Robbery

2011-01-05T22:32:00.005+02:00

It will probably be written in the future that one of the great deceptions of the age was the ruse the Arabs of Israel tried to pull over on the world when they stated they wanted a state of “Palestine” along the 1967 borders or the “Green Line” of Israel. It will be written how they duped most everyone they came in contact with, especially the “Left Wing” Israelis and many Jews of the world. Further more this “Face Book Nation” as called by would be Prime Minister Fayyad, managed to play the fool of the United States, Europe and South America, or at least get them to play along with this deadly practical joke.

The daily headlines are full with the claims and soon to be declared “Palestinian State” within the 1967 borders, yet every Arab you ask in Israel especially in Judea and Samaria will tell you that they mean all of Israel. Look at their virtual Flag, see the T-Shirts, listen to the music, go to the market place and buy a souvenir…they are not talking 1967 borders, they are talking 1920 borders, the same borders that the League of Nations declared to be a Jewish State.

It may also go down as one of the most unifying jokes in history as it seems that “anyone who is anyone” is going along with it, it has become the latest “fashion” from Hollywood to Ivy league campuses and many are going to great lengths to make this dupe appear to have some truth to it.

The international media is full of designer misinformation, while South American nations follow one another declaring their support of this mirage, (I was always wondering if the Nazi’s who ran to South America would affect these nations).

Most gullible seem to be many Jews living in the United States, there are organizations especially set up there to push this practical joke through. In many of the Jewish institutions, most notably many Reform and Conservative Synagogues and Schools, only one side of the political spectrum is being shown, while other opinions are being stifled.

Indeed, by sponsoring only one side and showing bias or contempt for different opinions and points of views, many Rabbi’s end up hijacking “free thought”. It’s not politically correct to oppose your Spiritual Leader.

Labels are being used more than napkins at a meal of Buffalo wings. If you back Israel’s claim to it historic land, you are an “Extremist”, if you criticize Israel, you are an Anti Semite, if you take a stand against Muslim terror, you are an “Islamaphobe”, if you think for yourself, you are “Naïve”, and on and on and on.

It’s all in the marketing, but make no mistake, deception is afoot and is taking the lead in directing world opinion against Israel and it’s right to exist as a Jewish State.

My Arab neighbors do not deceive me… I listen to what they say amongst themselves. That Israel pulling out of Judea and Samaria is the first stage to the end of the Jewish State. I listen as they describe the strategy of blackmailing the world to force their way upon a non-consenting Israel. Next, a deathblow of flooding the Jewish nation with 700,000 Arabs who claim to have a connection to this land, then an uprising in the Galil, I watch as they transmit hatred and support for terror on TV and schoolrooms, and you can be sure, there are no peaceful tones included.

I know this is not news to most of you, but I am concerned more at this point with what I consider a crime, what I mentioned before, the hijacking of our minds, especially the young minds.

All too often will you see organizations that advocate an Israeli pull back from Judea and Samaria have carte blanche at many Jewish Institutions, JCC’s, Schools, etc. Often a representative of one of these orgs appears unhindered, unfettered and lavishly supported, free to speak as they wish. But when a representative from another side or opinion appears, they are usually denied the same luxuries that I just mentioned. Some conditions are unfairly applied, an opposing view must be present, board permission becomes a task rather than a formality, and last but not least, attendants usually become rowdy and disruptive. All this is being done in the name of equality and freedom of speech.

Distorted pictures are painted of an entire populous numbering only around 300,000; generalization and biased views take their place standing next to racism and ignorance. Opinions are custom shaped rather than informed, facts are force fed rather than investigated, individual thought, if not along the party lines, are downtrodden and banished.

All too often we see this even under the guise of a “Zionist” trip to the Holy land. Visits to sights that are basic to Jewish heritage are avoided, being described as dangerous to get to, (by who? the same peaceful Arabs that are being hailed?).

To remedy this we see a major push in the ‘Hasbara” department. “Hasbara” is Hebrew for explanation, or as it has been used as lately, an apology, an explanation to defend our actions. “Hasbara” has become a four-letter word. An unfortunate tool and effort not being used effectively and efficiently as it should by the Israeli government, any Israeli government.

I would like to ask the other side for an explanation to describe their actions of terror and murder since Israel’s creation, I would like them to explain why they do not push peace amongst their own people. Why do they preach the destruction of Israel? Why they want their areas to be free of Jews? I would like an explanation why the organizations pushing a “Two State Solution” ignore the Arabs claim of all of Israel, and why they don’t demonstrate against daily Arab abuse of human rights all throughout Israel and under the “Fatah and Hamas Authorities.

I want an explanation why young Jewish minds on campuses and high schools are being poisoned and denied the right to think on their own, to see one side only while the other sides are being filtered and stepped upon.

Strike that, I know why, I understand how there are many that are working against Israel. It makes sense to strike at the students, the young, and the ignorant. It is an age-old strategy being used once again. I observed it being used by enemies of Israel during the Arab uprising of 2000, attack the unarmed, the children, the ignorant and the weak.

Enough!

It is time to take back our right to think freely, to learn freely, to ask questions, to ask the right questions, and hear the answers from whomever we please.

Doubting Thomas

2010-12-14T11:59:00.000+02:00

Thomas Friedman’s article in the NY Times: (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/opinion/12friedman.html?scp=1&sq=reality%20check%20friedman&st=cse)

Oh Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, I am warmed by your strong patriotic feelings towards the economic troubles in the US. Even more so how you are sure that once the US stops it $3 billion dollar aid package to Israel, US towns will be a boomin’ all over the US of A. If only Prime Minister Netanyahu would have agreed to another three-month building moratorium, everything would have been all right.

I also appreciate your care and concern regarding Israel’s substance abuse problem, and I agree with you. We are also grateful for you in pointing out that Israel is the reason so many US cities are having budget problems. Yes the 3 billion Israel receives and spends in the US is the core of the problem. I was wondering if you might apply your patriotic feelings to other countries around the world, maybe to the UN also…but I digress.

Do you remember the Yom Kippur war of 1973? You know when Israel came close to being wiped out? Israel’s friend and ally, the US came to it’s aid and sent sorely needed ammo and equipment over and Thank Gd, this joint venture and friendship enabled a different outcome than that which the Arab and Soviet world had hoped for. Did I say Soviet? Maybe you forget, that it was in US interest that Israel existed as a US ally in the region, might I add the only true and stable US ally and friend in the region, something that was paid for in blood, lots of blood.

So when the Soviet Union started powering down in the Mid East, Uncle Sam came in and said to Israel, give ‘em the Sinai, come on we’re friends, don’t worry, I’ll watch your back, I promise. Israel said, but the lives lost defending our country, the oil, the natural resources, the military buffer zone, how could we, they have been attacking us since we declared ourselves a state? Uncle Sam said, tell ya what, I’m gonna compensate you all, it’s on me, you compromise on your defense and resources, pull your people out and we’ll back you up with Military aid and our support, don’t worry, Trust us…and that is just part of the picture.

Never mind the technology that Israel and the US share, the numerous business ventures that benefit both countries and numerous towns and cities in the US, and so much more.

Never mind that Israel is the only true friend and ally the US has in the Middle East, and the only country around there that shares its value and rights systems, and so much more.

Now Israel has been pretty good at listening to it’s friend’s advice and requests, and I would say that refraining from defending itself to its ability against Iraq in the first Iraqi War was proof of that, and so much more. Making offers as you mentioned to the “Palestinians” and having them spit back, continuing in so-called “Peace Talks” while Arab schools teach destruction of Israel…sorry, I digress again.

But as you say “we’re not their grandfather’s America anymore”. You say Israel should jump at anything the US should request, why should you care, you don’t live in Israel, nor does the safety of Jews in Israel concern you, why should it. You believe that the US has bought the right to make the decisions in Israel because of the “bribe” that the US gave to Israel starting some years back…so, you believe the US has the right to decide for others based on money and aid that it distributes…interesting, I guess you mean that the US is bribing the world then, even more interesting… and I thought you were a “liberal”, you closet conservative, you.

It seems to me you want Israel to behave as a whore and do what the US wants because of the “Aid” Israel receives…that’s not friendship.

Dear Thomas, you fail to look at the big picture, you fail to see how the Palestinian Authority spits in the face of the world and dupes you and others like you because of your arrogance and Western elitism and lack of understanding the Arab and Muslim world. While extreme Islam is spreading it spheres of influence, and demonstrations and terror against the West increase daily, you choose to endanger the one true ally and friend that the US has and has always had.

But, guess what, I agree with you…almost. I think it is time that the US backs away from the Israel-Arab problem a bit, it is up to them, both the Israelis and the Arabs living there to figure it out and come to a solution on their own, without outside influence and pressure, and the threat of annihilation.

It is time that journalists such as yourself and peers stop presenting one-sided views and show the whole scene and background so that others might develop informed opinions and not the manipulated ones that you and others wish to show, or maybe you need wikileaks to assist.

I have to disagree with you when you state that you understand the problem, you don’t, and you probably never will because you can’t see beyond your tainted views, your mind is closed, despite how many alternative lifestyles and causes you may support.

Your patriotism and caring for the downtrodden of the US is a breath of fresh air, and I am sure that when you send your children into the US Armed forces to fight for the US, to put themselves in danger, just like the majority of Israeli parents do, and have been doing, they will be proud of you.

I think and agree with you that it is time that the US stops sending so much “Aid” around the world and redirects much of it back to the US and address the problems that you mention and more! One difference, I feel that you are only targeting Israel, which you are, by the way. Of course many of these countries that might not receive any more “financial assistance” will turn on the US quicker than a detonator on a suicide bomber. You can be sure Israel won’t, you know why?

Because, Israel is a true friend.

All Shapes and Forms

2010-12-07T15:05:00.002+02:00

For a long time it has been understood that Israel’s wars are not fought just on our borders. Indeed our “fronts” are many and diverse, as our combatants. A short while back some of those who consider themselves to be residents in the world of the Arts decided to wage war against their own country of Israel, picking the new Cultural Center in Ariel as their first target.

Alas this virus of idiocy spread, as most unfounded deceptive concepts do, back to the bastion of wrong, the good ole so called (fake) liberal anti Israel camps in the US of A (“A” does not always stand for America).

So to add another infectious ingredient to the racist Boycott of Israel and its historic heartland, the concept and truth of Art was defiled.

In Israel, these artists are being shunned more and more, there names being added to the lists of “who not to see”, only for them to find comforts in the treacherous hideaways in parts of Tel Aviv. Never the less their devious voices were heard in the annals of the International Media outside.

Not all accepted this fight, this act of terror lying down, indeed some of the greatness that we see in Israel is that we do fight back against our enemies, sometimes later than sooner. But in this case, the soldiers who answered the challenge, who rose to meet the beast, did not start in Israel, it started from New York.

Back during the Operation Cast Lead, when Israel fought for the simple right of having it’s citizens in the south live quietly without the reality of Rockets and Mortars, some true humans met and decided to fight back against the impostors of the “intellectual elitists”. A new commando unit was formed to fight for Israel’s right to exist in peace and security, it’s name…Artists 4 Israel.

Where this group organized and previously brought Artists in to paint the Bomb Shelters in Sderot, to work with Children in Tel Aviv and other areas throughout Israel, they did not forget those who left their homes in Gush Katif, and they did not forget that there are Jews living in Judea and Samaria.

For those of us living in Judea and Samaria, seeing this special group of courageous souls adding color to Route 60, (our main artery and place of hundreds of attacks), beautifying Beit El and bringing Joy, Color, and Art to Ariel (the main target of the “artistic Left”) and its residents, was more than just a gesture of good will, it was a gesture of truth and strength, and unity.

The artists themselves came from the US, Spain and Israel, a mixture of cultures and religions in this unique and wonderful campaign of “Murality”.

My words cannot express my pride and gratitude, and I am honored to work together with them. One of the “treats” of traveling around and meeting different people is that of when I meet individuals or groups, that do not just talk the talk, but truly walk the walk. I admit I have a soft spot for people of action, who will do when others don’t and who will tread where others fear.

Of course one mustn’t forget the courageous Hummus wars being fought on Americas most esteemed campuses. So few realize the danger that a well made Hummus can present, especially when used properly.

Of course this sounds funny, but it is a serious matter. When the anti Israel students at Princeton went up against Sabra Hummus. Their intent and dreams were far worse than just banning this (Israeli made) Middle Eastern cuisine from the stomachs of Lovers of Zion and the Vegan community. Their cause is far more heinous than that, their wishes are the destruction of Israel as we know it, sorry, it is that simple.

Yet once again the combatants for Israel took other shapes and forms to fight, this time pro-truth students decided to stand up to bad comedy and racism and defeated a call to ban Sabra Hummus.

These acts while not sounding as serious as a threat of war, or a conventional terror attack, are serving as a barometer as to what we will be facing in the near future. Not just us in Israel, but Jews throughout the US.

You see, in this virtual world Israel is being set up as the evil empire, no matter who you are or what you believe, Deceit and Deception are Prime Minister and President while Racism and Bigotry are Secretary of State and Defense.

These signs of the absurd must not be ignored, but dealt with…immediately and efficiently, for they will multiply.

Combatants such as I have mentioned are to be commended as they are now on the frontlines also and need to be reinforced.

While I was operational during the Arab uprising of 2000, one of the characteristics that stood out in fighting against terror most was that that the Arabs tended to target the unarmed and children the most, like today they seek out the weak and uninformed, their main targets today…your children on campus, and the Conservative and Reform Jewish communities, with a valuable prize being the Israeli immigrant children.

Other nations are being bullied into a corner due to the high immigration rate of Muslims from around the world. As many in the Muslim communities in these nations have taken the yoke of menial labor, the governments have come to the understanding and realization that they must appease this economic and labor force by coming out against Israel and support a new virtual Arab Muslim State, lest they suffer an internal uprising themselves.

I have been told many a time that much of what I write sounds the same…Strong Jews, Strong Israel, fight back, do something…that’s right, I believe in these things. I also believe in everybody’s right to an opinion an informed opinion, and to not to be brainwashed by an enemy who seeks to destroy and not to build.

As the situation in Israel continues to draw people away from the true problems that affect us as humanity, you can be sure that Hummus and Art wont be the last tools that will be used against Israel.

Techina and Video games are soon to follow.

Blind Sided

2010-11-12T04:00:00.001+02:00

It is always important to make observations from all angles, from all views. To understand a situation we must sometimes look from the inside out and vice-versa. The point being, two dimensions are not enough, even 3D doesn’t cut it all the time.

For the past three weeks I have been in the US speaking and meeting people from all walks of life, from all religions, creeds, races, whatever you want, but a well colored spectrum. We discussed Israel, the situation, the chances of peace, loyalty oaths, you name it…we discussed it.

Over all, these were not political discussions, although obviously politics did come up, these were open dialogues between people, held in a civil manner in order to understand the situation in Israel better, to hear another side and to reach an in depth connection to a land and people we share in in our hearts, (however, not with everybody I met).

This was not a “tour” of “preachin’ to the choir” as I met with many that do not share my views at all, and there were even those that tried to keep me from speaking, even though they never met me or heard me. You see, in their eyes, I am a criminal… I live in Shilo, which is in Samaria, which in their eyes exists in the “occupied Territories” (forgive my using that term).

A common denominator that I discovered was that most, and I mean both sides politically, if you will, are very ignorant regarding what is really going on.

I was alarmed at how many caring Jews were hijacked by the “Left Wing”, J Street and so on, it was actually scary to see many people “zombied” into toting the company jargon and logo. People who consider themselves the academia, the intellectual elite, the liberal, the caring have been programed to generalize, to stereotype an entire population, to stop thinking, not to look at possibilities, and what I consider to be criminal… to grasp a racist and biased point of view without even looking at facts or faces.

I never knew I was such a threat to free thinking. I was told that there had to be other “groups” who hold opposing views while I was present. I was even turned away by some schools where I simply offered them a chance to ask a “settler” any question they would like, only because they never get to.

Imagine!

As much as I was alarmed and I was ecstatic at the results…those that attended became involved in great discussions, we didn’t have to agree with each other, we spoke to each other, we thought together and we worked together. This is what apparently scares the “other” side.

We brain stormed regarding the situation, the peace process and at the end the various sessions (till now), they went away with a different view about Israel, Judea and Samaria and the possibility and possible results of the forming of a new Arab State in the region.

We didn’t necessarily agree, but they felt more informed and able to form better opinions regarding the passionate topic of Israel. Many were incensed that their own leadership has managed to hide many facts from them and continues to keep them in the dark regarding Judea and Samaria and the diverse population living there. They indeed felt betrayed by the media, the misinformation, the lack of information, and the unfortunate chances that they missed when visiting Israel to see things for themselves, so they could decide on their own.

We spoke of Human Rights, not just for the Arabs, but also for the Jews. The idea of turning 300,000 Jews into refugees did not really occur to them. Where would anybody house them? Who would employ them? Would this even bring real peace? We spoke about everything, good and bad. We even reached conclusions, but that’s for another piece. These talks went on for over 2 hours, each. Obviously I can’t write all that we spoke about, but it was great!

It was exciting for me to be part of this as we worked at becoming friends and not adversaries, working towards a common goal, the good of Israel and it’s people, and the good of the Jewish Communities outside of Israel, instead of splitting our people up even more.

I learned to appreciate what I had even more. I have been blessed with living amongst very strong Jewish people. My neighbors and community embrace all that made us into a strong and special people. On the Zionist side, it is we, the communities of Judea and Samaria, the Jordan Valley, who continue the Zionist dream that brought about the State of Israel. The same idea of reclaiming our land, our history, of becoming a strong people continues on from the days of early Israel. When we are threatened, we have an army of strong Jews…we don’t have to hide who we are and how we think, how we all think. Our kids do not have to be afraid on College Campuses if they are “Pro Israel”, or if they wish to wear a Kipa. They are not forced into hiding their feelings or how they wish to worship.

Our security situation in Israel is actually dire, we all have our dangers and the diaspora communities are facing a situation that is spiraling downward. Backed by Arab Funding, Anti Israel Funding, the European Union and so many others groups who claim to be “Pro-Israel” and Human Rights, they are being ripped away from Israel, most are not even aware of it.

They are being Blind-sided, hit from behind.

I realized that deep down that we in Israel, especially we who live in Judea and Samaria must somehow help our fellow Jews in the diaspora even more. I am well aware of the “ballagan”, the mess we have in Israel, it is at times a circus that competes with Barnum & Bailey, it is the material that Mel Brooks would have a field day with, but we are there, and it is ours.

Pre-Ordered Lynching

2010-10-12T11:59:00.002+02:00

The staged video of the attempted murder and lynching of David Be’eri of Ir David, the other day in Jerusalem should serve at the least as a wake-up call to all who care about Israel.

For those of you who haven’t heard of this incident, last week while driving through the Shiloach neighborhood of Jerusalem, about 200 meters from the Old City near the Western Wall, David Be’eri was the victim of a planned ambush that was orchestrated by members of the international media. (See film here http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/139971)

This attack is not a rare occurrence; it is not a reaction by the Arabs to any particular incident; it is also not limited to Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, but is a nation-wide problem; and it is not the first time the media has staged an event that could result in the loss of life for Jews.

There are many aspects of the recent attacks that bother me to the core. Yes, I call them attacks, simply because that is what they are. A demonstration is a demonstration, but the second you pick up a rock or anything else with the intent to cause bodily harm, you cross the line.

Most children are taught that when a bully taunts them his first step is to tell the teacher - after all they are the authority and they are charged with keeping order. In the child’s mind this provides the classroom with a sense of security and stability. Many times we see the bully coming back, at times the teacher is not around, or maybe the teacher just doesn’t have the time to deal with the problem. Then, either the child learns that he must fend for himself, or his parents teach him that he has to fight back at times.

As a society we are taught that if you have a problem, call the police. That is what the civilized people do, right? The police are supposed to uphold the law, keep the peace. In Israel, as in most countries, most citizens, abide by this philosophy. In fact, Israeli Jews have been so conditioned to do this that it is coming back in our faces. In recent years, any Jew that has stood up against attempted murder, lynching -whatever name you would like to give it - has found himself at odds with the police instead of finding the security and protection that he deserves.

We have become much like the child who comes home beaten up every day by the bully. We are stronger; we could have responded, we should have responded, but we have become afraid, lest the teacher punishes us.

We watched this conditioning set in back during the Iraqi war of 91. For the first time in history, Israel was attacked and did not respond. We could have, we should have, but were told not to. Many of our people were dumbfounded, how could this be, how could we let ourselves be pounded time and time again and do little against it?

The lesson was not wasted. The lesson learned during that time was not learned by the Jews, the lesson was learned by the Arabs, that lesson being taught was: you can hurt the Jews, you can hurt Israel and they won't always fight back. They applied this lesson to our troops in Lebanon, they learned to apply this lesson to Jews in Judea and Samaria, to Jews in the Galil, in the Negev.

We like to say that we restrained ourselves, we are better than them, and we behaved… all this as tears fell on filled coffins.

The situation today in Israel is, locally, where there are problems, we find that our police do not respond quickly enough. It seems that this is happening more and more, and at times the delays seem politically motivated. Instead of teaching Israelis to be good citizens, the message seems to be, if you want to be safe, either run away or take matters into your own hands.

Not a good recipe for a strong civil society.

Being attacked is accepted as a norm. “Its just a mortar” ... “its just a Molotov cocktail” ... so you got a little injured, could have been worse... They shot at the “settlers” not at us.

The media learned that they could get great stories and great pictures all for a few dollars. Arab leadership learned that publicity was as cheap as a neighbor’s son, and we fell for it.

So here we are today, where it is all right for Jews to be attacked for their crime...Living. I know, there are those of you out there saying, “well, they shouldn’t be in those areas.” I ask you, who hold those thoughts, to tell me: where we should be? Maybe you are not aware that this is happening in all parts of Israel. Jews being attacked in the Galil, in the Negev; is that okay also?

We are being conditioned to be victims again and this is the disease that I am talking about. This is the disease that must be fought against. In the name of peace we are being told to lay low, take it, don’t defend yourselves, dare I say, turn the other cheek?

Where else in the world does this happen? Nowhere.

The phenomenon of Jewish strength came about by Jews around the world seeing Israel respond to its enemies. We witnessed terrorists and other adversaries struck down where ever they were. The names “Mossad” and “Shabak” struck terror amongst the Arabs. “Israeli” meant that you were strong and could defend yourself. As our nation developed, as we fought off enemies against all odds, and proved that miracles do happen, our pride as a strong people spread throughout the world.

We are seeing media-staged attacks occur more frequently. By not stopping them, the government of Israel, the Police and the reporters who are organizing these events are creating an atmosphere of anarchy and vigilantism. They are playing with a fire hotter than they can imagine.

This disease is viral and it will not be contained.

Succot 5771

2010-09-21T13:00:00.003+02:00

Peace, peace, peace. Israel must give up territory… Israel must accept Arabs and their descendents that ran away in 1948 while Arab armies attempted to eradicate the Jewish existence in Israel…Israel must release terrorists who have murdered, and have been accomplices and/or have planned to kill Israelis. Israel must retreat to indefensible borders.

Russia arms Syria and Iran with advanced weaponry, the US arms Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and other Arab Nations with Sophisticated and advanced arms.

Islamic terror grows everyday as do attacks on non-Muslims and Western targets throughout the Islamic world.

The “Quartet” insists that Israel does not let any Jews build in Judea and Samaria. Salaam Fayyad and Abbas say the Judea and Samaria must be ethnically cleansed of any Jewish presence.

A close-to nuclear Iran says that Israel’s time is up. Salaam Fayad and Mahmud Abbas are on their way to the US to chum up to as many Jewish “leaders” as possible, to convince them to pressure Israel to place itself in the most “uncompromising” position as possible since the rebirth of the Jewish nation in 1948.

So lets see, pressure Israel to get into a one-sided peace agreement with the “Palestinian Authority” (who are the minority and barely represent themselves), arm the rest of Israel’s enemies to the hilt.

Again, I might have missed something…. Call on Israel to make every possible compromise and arm the nations that have been fighting against Israel since its creation even more than before.

Is it just me, or does anyone else see something wrong with this picture?

As we approach the Holiday of Succot we are taught how the walls of the Succah should remind us of the “Clouds of Glory” that protected us against all odds as we traveled through Sinai. We had no other allies in the world, it was just we and Gd and a dream of being in our own land, a dream that was fulfilled... not just once.

As I build my Succah this year I am reminded we Jews (Thank Gd) brought the dream of Israel back to this earth in this time. We had to depend on ourselves as no one came to defend us as the Arab armies descended on Israel with the intent to wipe us out, time and time again. Throughout other wars, we weren’t offered arms to defend ourselves, we paid, and we paid a lot and with more than just money. There were no favors… the Middle East was the playground as the “Super” powers looked on to see just whose “toys” were better. Today it seems to be almost the same playing field, yet the rules have been changed, as has the game, now it’s whose toys and whose methods will bring down Israel first.

I look at my succah walls and I look at Israel today and despite the challenges and ever-growing adversaries that we continue to face, I am proud and feel strong. No nation on earth has come so far in such a short time. No nation on earth has given so much back to the world.

This Succot, as you look at the walls of your Succah and are reminded how our forefathers were protected by the “Clouds of Glory” in Sinai, and as you bring together the Lulav (Palm), The Etrog, Hadas (Myrtle), Aravot (Willow), the four different species to make a single entity, and keep the Mitzvah of the Holy Day, think of Israel today, how together despite our own differences, we have fared against all odds, we are in our land and we are strong, Thank Gd.

We still have quite a walk in front of us, and together we will do it as a strong and good people in our land, all of our land and in peace.

Chag Sameach

On All Fronts

2010-09-16T07:24:00.001+02:00

The problems of the world are all based on Israel giving up its historic heartland, everybody knows that. The peace loving Arab nations are willing to let bygones be bygones, and are willing to live in peace, side by side in harmony with their Jewish neighbor Israel…NOT. I am constantly amazed by those who believe in that scenario. Time magazine has clarified the issue for many by explaining how we Jews in Israel are not even interested in peace, you see we like sending our children to the army, we like terror attacks against us, you know you haven’t lived until you’ve seen a bus load of people blow up in front of your eyes.

This battle is on all fronts now, in all locations, so many fail to notice it, so many innocent fall victims to the treachery and lies. In true Arab custom, the weak are targeted, those that lack strength or means to truly defend themselves, no, I am not just talking about the Jews in Israel anymore, I am talking about Jews throughout the Diaspora.

College campuses have become the new killing fields, the targets – unaffiliated Jews, Jews who are ignorant about their faith and their history, children of Israeli immigrants and a slew of others who tend to be oblivious to the reality in Israel.

Various Islamic groups along with supposed “Human” rights groups and others who claim to champion justice ambush these unsuspecting souls in the name of the school of progressive and liberal thought, often turning them into violent and extreme adversaries, brainwashed to hate themselves, their history and their identity. Bastions of safe Jewish havens such as Hillel houses have become bases of operations against any hint of Zionism or support of Israel.

Most are not even aware of the dangers present and all too often fall into these traps. Funding for these anti-Jewish workshops supposedly comes from sources ranging from foreign governments to our own quasi Jewish Funds, masked efficiently to hide their true intentions of harming the Jewish State of Israel by alienating these young people from themselves and the possibility of a future strong Jewish leadership in the Diaspora.

The Arab nations have always been an enemy to the existence of the State of Israel, nothing has changed, and peace is not in their lexicon regarding Jews ruling over the Land of Israel. Growing up in Israel prepares you for this reality, it is one of the advantages of being surrounded by bullies whom only wish you harm and worse. But most Jews in the Diaspora are not prepared for this aggressive behavior that they witness on their campuses. Their reactions vary, most either hide their identities and thoughts waiting quietly for still waters, while others join this parade of hatred, fooling themselves into thinking that they are a part of a new order that will bring a just change to a region, culture and in many cases, a people they do not even know.

There are of course the few, the minority that does fight back, that attempt to stand strong. These smaller Israel Advocacy groups lack the numbers, funding and fashionable stance to compete and present a viable challenge to this on going and growing threat. Never the less they do try and at times, just like Israel, they are victorious against what is perceived as overwhelming odds.

It used to be that for many American Jews, the problems and challenges that Israel faces are far away, not their problem, not their concern, …no longer.

If you are Jewish, you have no choice but to ultimately, eventually face the same challenges, the same enemies that Israel must contend with, the same challenges, the same enemies that our people have contended with throughout history, wherever you are.

We will do this together.

The Once and Future Battle

2010-08-24T16:31:00.002+03:00

The “spin” has begun. The new illusion of hope among the feeble-minded is called the “Direct Talks”. Meanwhile all involved are already working on “exit strategies”, in essence the talks have yet to go anywhere and they are already nowhere. The PLO will pull out if there is any building, anywhere and Bibi has basically said, though not officially, that the “Freeze” will continue in all places besides the larger blocs, (which he says Israel is keeping).

Sounds like negotiations, doesn’t it… The sad and absurd is that both of these leaders, aren’t leaders at all, nor do they have the majority backing of their people.

Abbas hangs on only due to US support, both militarily and financially. The Arab dream of throwing the Jews into the sea, or worse has yet to subside. Hamas licks their chops on the sidelines and from within at this point. They simply wait and pray (prey) that the US will succeed in pressuring Israel to give up its heartland, before they pounce. Their sight and sites are set on Israel’s coast, Ben Gurion Airport and our main infrastructure facilities… it’s just a matter of time.

Bibi continues to play the poodle in hopes of US assistance against Iran, a big deal we know, but it seems to be too late at this point.

Don’t get any of your hopes up, these talks will yield “bupkas”, “gurnish”, “nada”, nothing. The majority of military experts in the world state that Israel is putting itself in self destructive suicidal danger, a new Muslim state in the Mid East will turn quickly into another Islamic Extremist presence, a de facto base for terrorism, first against Israel, than the West.

I know, I know, it has all been said before, boring I admit, but we have to keep on saying it. You see, many do not care for what is just or for what is right, even George Will thinks the Two State concept is idiotic, I know, still boring.

What about the plight of at least 100,000 Jewish refugees that would (Gd forbid) be created by this “solution”, oh, that’s right, silly me, I forgot, Jewish refugees do not merit, (where are all of you “rights” people now?). The Arabs always bring up the “plight of the Palestinian refugees”, well, what about the Jews that were thrown out of the Arab lands, they don’t count?

No, truth does not matter, only the creation of a new Islamic nation is important. The West needs a foster Muslim nation after they screwed up Iraq beyond repair, and something to distract the world from the butt kicking they will be getting in Afghanistan.

The Arabs of Israel make the perfect poster child for them, especially with Achmadinejad using the UN as a urinal. I can already see the rallies in the new Mosque at ground zero in NYC… “Come out and support the 23rd Islamic nation of the Mid East, special guest speakers The President of Iran and the Leader of Hezbollah”.

Not to mention the incredible amount of life that will be lost in and around Israel by the world attempting to force us into a suicidal corner that will only lead to regional violence.

Hey, but that’s good for business. The US will continue to arm all sides, and promote unrest in Israel, where they can, and those that the US does not arm will get their wares from Iran, Russia and wherever.

This is all in line with the continuing growing strength of Islam in the West… even CNN has a “Muslim” section now.

Israel is the price the West is willing to pay for what they think will bring Peace and Quiet… boy, that is going to be one big ole “I told you so”.

Yes, the world is laughing at us and I know many Jews in the world are detaching themselves (mind you, many are not!) from us. Let me tell you this, we may be a mess of different opinions, we may not know how to present our side properly, our government may get their cues from Barnum and Bailey’s three ring circus, but the world is forgetting one thing…we Jews of Israel (and the world) are not going down.

We may stumble, and fall down a bit, but I can promise the world one thing, we will get up and we will fight back, but this time you will have to deal with a different Jew.

A friend of mine in the IDF came home and said the other day, “every one I meet seems to be right-wing”. Guess what, it is not right wing, it is simply more and more Israelis are getting tired of being treated like a dirty rag, they are waking up to the intentions of the Arabs, and certain Western leaders… There has been enough left wing/Islamic anti-Israel rhetoric, enough criticism from the world and definitely enough of being put into a corner. Be it on College Campuses in Israel or the US, in front of Embassies and yes, even throughout Israel (even Tel Aviv) our people are getting stronger and starting to fight back, and this is only the beginning.

You may not see it so clearly outside of Israel and a better future may seem far off, but even though it is an uphill battle at this point, we will fight it, and the view from the top is beautiful, and it is ours.

If you ignore it, it won’t go away.

2010-08-19T17:47:00.004+03:00

For years many Jews in Israel’s North and South considered the “problem with Arabs” to be isolated to Judea and Samaria. Terrorism, theft, rape happened “over there”, not in “my neighborhood”.

Separating themselves from the heartland of Israel, many of those living “inside the line” thought that themselves different. The “Green line” became more than an ink mark on a map, it became a cause, a wall, a place not to go, not really the state.

Boy, did that back fire!

Those who harbor an elevated intellect and intelligence realize that there is no difference between the Jewish people who live on either side of the line, that all are part of Jewish history and heritage and Israel today. Mind you the same goes for the Arab residents, except for the part of Jewish History and heritage (then again, their views regarding the erasing of our presence and history here are pretty much the same).

Over the past two and a half years I have been working with various security and emergency projects in the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley as Director of Security Projects for One Israel Fund. I am proud to say that there has been much progress. Terrorists and thieves have been caught trying to infiltrate communities, standards in Emergency and Medical response rose to new and admirable heights, lives have been saved, Jews have been protected, Thank Gd, and we have been making progress and will continue to work hard to achieve even more.

Recently I have been turned to from communities from the Galil, from the Negev, the Dead Sea region, all looking for the same type of assistance and guidance we have been providing to Judea and Samaria. They all came to me with the same horrendous stories, theft of land, livestock, produce and more, farmers being beaten, infrastructure being destroyed… all while “Israel” sleeps.

It was ironic for me to hear these stories, they were of course not news to me, and having lived in Judea and Samaria for so many years, I was used to them, of course the only difference was that the Arabs in Judea and Samaria often used guns and bombs against us to achieve their heinous goals. The irony was that for years these same folk viewed the Jews living “over the Green Line” as different, not one with them, as the “settlers”, often forgetting their not to distant common past with these “settlers”.

There are many levels of terrorism, the common denominator is that it affects our daily lives and how we live them. We often classify it by the costs involved, the highest cost being in blood and lives. This is the cost we in Judea and Samaria have learned most this is the cost our children have learned. In the North and South the cost has been in land stolen, Jews run off their land by having their crops and livestock destroyed or stolen and then only to be arrested by our own police when trying to defend that which we all hold so dear to ourselves… our homes.

There is a saying in Hebrew, “Ha Kol l’Tova”, it is all for the good, so where’s the good you ask?

More and more Jews from these areas have been coming to the realization that there is no “Green Line” and that we are all in this together, one people, one land, one state. By ignoring their brothers in Judea and Samaria, the see that the problems of terror have spread to them also. It has now become more common to hear of arrests of terror cells in both the north and south. Communities living along this invisible political entity of a line are now afraid of becoming new “Sderots”, they are even looking into forming first response teams to answer various “incidents” in their regions.

When they called out looking for assistance in manpower many from the heartland responded to their calls, and the borders came down, the line disappeared and bonds were formed and these bonds are growing stronger. It is indeed heartwarming to be “welcomed” back. After years of being looked at like a creature from beyond, to be viewed once again as a brother was a pleasure.

It seems that the lessons of the expulsion from Gush Katif have been learned by a large part of the country; of course most of those that have yet to learn do not live within any proximity of a possible danger…yet, mind you, they choose to keep their heads stuck in the sand. But the facts remain, that we in Israel are waking up.

In the discussions that have been ongoing regarding the problems mentioned, it seems that those that are causing the most harm are not the Arabs, in fact it is agreed by most, the Arabs are simply doing what they have been doing for years, being our enemy and trying to drive us from our land, all of our land.

The problem seems to rest mostly within the authorities and Arab and “Peace” groups from the outside. The actions, or lack of action by the police, the land administration, the government all seems to add to the motivation of the Arab perpetrators, while their funding goes unhindered. Sure there are successes here and there, crimes and terror are stopped, but far from satisfactory levels.

This symptom of a lack of proper response has been the main culprit in the escalation of terror in Judea and Samaria, Gaza in the past. It continues to feed the rockets down south and propagates a new and possibly explosive situation in the north and south of Israel.

While pointing a finger is the easiest path to take, I will change directions in pointing and look to point that finger towards the mirror, not just at myself, but also at all of us. Not in blame, but in a “call to arms” to coin a phrase.

The challenge of holding onto Israel did not end in 1948, 56, 67, 73,82, 91, 2000, etc., etc. our homeland has still far to go. It is still going on, it is just hidden in the fog, out of sight to many and barely visible outside the country. Every ethnic group has at least one place to call home, we Jews only have Israel, we Jews only have ourselves and maybe a few real friends, we can’t forget that.

Our fight to hold on to our country is far from over.

I know that the halls of the Knesset do not always represent that, I know that in many Café’s in Tel Aviv, you won’t find it, but it is here in Israel and it is strong and growing stronger.

The change in Israel will come from within, it must, and it will then shine outwards. But “within” must be within all of us as a people. If we want to have the luxury of sibling rivalry, we must first have the luxury of safe surroundings, safe surrounding in our homeland, our country, and that we achieve by having “Achdut”, by having Unity.

Our enemy is out there trying to take our land from us, lets make them stop, and stop now. Do not stand quiet, stand strong, and stand together, and continue to build Israel, continue to fight for Israel, for all of Israel

We can then offer them an Olive branch if they want, if they are ready.

As we are in the Hebrew month of Elul, heading towards a New Year and Rosh Hashanah, I would like to mention a thought. The first letters of the word “ELUL” are often referred to in Psalm 6:3, “Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Lee”, I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine. Usually this refers to the Jewish people's connection with Gd. Throughout the Torah our people's connection with the Land of Israel is mentioned time and time again. In the book of Devarim (the last book of the Torah, that which we are reading from now), everything is leading up to our return to Israel.

A thought... if we as Jews feel about our connection with the Land of Israel as we feel about our intimate connection above during this month of Elul, maybe we can bring about a change for the better sooner and make the world safer and a better place for all of us.