More "Two State Solutions"....

More Two State Solutions….

Having just returned from a Speaking tour in the US, I have been noticing that the Buzz Word “Two State Solution” seems to be a proper solution for many, however not for Israel.

One of the most noticeable changes I witnessed during this trip was the increased polarization occurring in the US. For example, only six months ago while visiting LA, I saw by the mere mention of a non-supportive statement of the present US administration brought about a hostile reaction. Today, it seems that in LA, many more than a “few” tote anti White House thoughts, and it seems the numbers of “Anti Obama-ites” are growing at an alarming rate. (Something that is definitely not pleasing to the Secret Service)

A quick trip to the Mid West and I was astonished at how many voice their opposition to the White House and their crew of “Henchmen” (a quote). The opinions spanned numerous issues from Immigration, Medical Reform, Taxes and the list goes on and on, I didn’t even hear anything regarding Israel till the end of the list.

It seems that this “split” is taking a deep hold in the United States, and this chasm seems to be widening every day, a solution is needed, and needed quickly.

So obviously what is needed is the “Two State Solution”, (Fifty, doesn’t seem to be working). This will make America great again, this will solve all of the problems, the “Two State Solution” is the salvation needed.

Separation is the answer, no longer are we to be tasked with working things out, you take the high road and I’ll take the low road, and we won’t meet.

This “Solution” would also apply to many US Universities where separatism and lack of objectivity run rampant.

All over the world, the sides are separating more and more every day, very clear lines are being drawn regarding a wide spectrum of issues, Two “States” (at least) exist.

Europe definitely needs it now before it disappears beneath the folds of the Hijab.

This is what you get when you try to force an unjust solution on Israel, and yes it IS ISRAEL’S FAULT for even listening to such foolishness.

I would like to suggest some humble advice, better stop it soon before the damage is irreparable, and I do not mean regarding Israel.

It is World folly and Arab hatred of Israel that continues to fuel this act of racism and ethnic cleansing. But that is not important. What is important is that the concept of a peaceful solution has changed, it has nothing to do with people getting along or working out their differences to better their existence or co-existence, it has to do with blackmail, extortion and a number of other admirable qualities, all being aimed at Israel.

Some good news is that at least there are more Jews waking up to this reality.

In Israel, all of Israel, the “One State Solution”, the One State of Israel, is the only way to a peaceful existence in this region. It is time that we ALL understand this and ALL work towards this, before it is too late.

Remembering with a smile

I entered the Central Bus station in Jerusalem to get on the bus to take me home to Shilo. It was the evening before Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day), a few hours before the sirens went off to signify the start of this most difficult of days.

I admit that I find this day very difficult, as the feelings start to set in before the sirens, before the torches, and before the start of the ceremonies. I suppose it is very hard for Jews outside to feel as we do here. This pain, this hurt, this contemplation takes everybody back in time. We go back to the stories we heard as children, then we reflect on our days of youth in the face of terrorism and wars, we remember our days in the Army, then reserves, we remember the not to distant past, the last decade, years, months and finally days. We reflect our own experiences, our own battles, and wonder.

We swell inside, sometimes smiling at the memories of our friends and families, and then fight to hold back tears because we miss them, and we know that this is not the end of the fighting.

It is a day of intense emotions, to say the least.

I looked around me in the crowded station, and as the thoughts started to cloud my feelings, I realized that I was living the dreams and prayers of so many before me.

I was looking at Israel, at who we are, and how we get there. No ceremony, no Ultra Zionist speech, no Flag waving. I was surrounded mostly in a sea of olive drab uniforms, with a rainbow of berets on their shoulders. The pins and unit ID’s on their uniforms shined proudly. They smiled, they laughed, they grabbed each other like they haven’t seen one another in years, but in reality it was only a few weeks. They are all so young.

Standing out was the amount of kippahs, as much as a spectrum of colors as the berets, like never before, but not separate from the non observant, together with all, no barriers, just pure camaraderie and dedication and strength, what strength.

I went in to the Synagogue to pray and observed Am Yisrael sitting together, all ages, all colors, from all over the world, Civilians, soldiers, guests.

I am sorry that I cannot put use words to describe my feelings of pride, of strength. I was standing ten feet tall looking at our children, looking at our soul. I thought of all the Jews outside of Israel, especially those that enjoy criticizing and speaking against us, that I meet, and felt sorry they could not see this.

My bus arrived and as I boarded, I realized the present I was just given, I saw Am Yisrael today in Eretz Yisrael today, in Medinat Yisrael today. Sure, we have our share of problems, maybe even more than our share, but over here in our little Israel, we are made of good stock, strong character, and a strong people.

I smiled again, and felt even stronger, when I thought about how I was looking at the worst nightmare of our enemies, may they never sleep soundly again!

Yom Ha'Atzmaut 5770

Yom Ha’atzmaut 5770

In 1948, miracles occurred. One of those was that of the unity amongst the Jewish People throughout the world. A result of that miracle was the rebirth of the Jewish homeland in the State of Israel. Against all odds and numbers and with the blessings from above, the Jewish People once again governed their own state. In the following years, our state was bombarded with numerous wars and constant attacks, yet we progressed as a country and a people beyond ours, and our enemy’s wildest dreams. Despite the massive acts of violence meant to destroy our country and throw our people out of our land, we continued to grow.

In 1967, another miracle occurred as we returned to the heartland of Israel, the cradle of our heritage and history as a nation. With our return to this heartland, our strength grew, as did our connection to Israel and one another. Once again Jews from all over the world could show their children the places that are mentioned throughout the Torah and our other Holy books. For the first time in over 2,000 years “seeing was believing”, and believing was real.

All to often we take the luxury of freedom for granted. Today in Israel, I can take my family to Hevron, Shilo, Kever Rachel, and in the past, to Kever Yosef to name just a few. I can take them to our eternal connection to the Holy Temple that once stood in Jerusalem and pray at the Kotel HaMa’aravi. I can say to them, see, they are real.

Our memories are too short, it wasn’t that long ago that we couldn’t do that. That simple luxury of showing our families our history and our connection to this land of Israel is on the chopping block now.

We have just passed Holocaust Memorial Day followed shortly by our Memorial Day for our soldiers and victims of terror and then into Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. That holy order of events that has brought us to where we are today must be part of all of us. Especially today when we face the prospects of a nuclear Iran which wishes to wipe us off the face of this earth and the remaining Arabs salivate at the opportunity to “cleanse” us from our historic heartland before getting rid of us entirely.

The events, the attitudes and the goals of our enemies of the past have not changed, they have just been camouflaged with questionable rhetoric, readily swallowed by those who hate us and our own who know no better.

But today is different.

Every Yom Ha’atzmaut that comes around reminds them just how strong we are and can be and they know that we can, and G-d willing, will grow stronger. This year we must be even more vigilant as our enemies are growing and acquiring new friends.

In the past Jews around the world responded to pictures and scenes of horror and terror. Seeing clips of Jewish mothers wailing over their children’s graves, buses split in two like over-ripened watermelons, evoked real emotion and action from our people.

Organizations like Israel Bonds, Magen David Adom, UJA and the FIDF only had to show a presentation of a terror attack and an outcry was heard, the checks and funds poured in and action was taken. Our people, as usual, went above and beyond to help.

Today, I would like to propose a change in attitude and action.

No More Jewish Victims! This is not mere rhetoric – it needs to be the goal of every Jew throughout the world. We mustn’t wait for a horrible incident to occur before responding. We must prevent it from ever happening in the first place. We must learn from the past in order to brighten the future.

As responsible adults and parents we watch over our children and families to protect them, we make sure to take measures to insure their safety, before, not after they run into harm’s way. Similarly, we watch over our own health, we try to exercise and eat right and when something hurts, we take care of it before it turns serious.

That is the way it must be with Israel and the Jewish people. Israel is the greatest gift the Jewish people have at this point in our history - how can we put it in harm’s way? The signs of pain and danger are out there. Together, let’s prevent the problems from occurring, reoccurring or exacerbating.

· We must not wait until we read and watch the scenes of Hezbolah rockets raining down on Tel Aviv.

· We must not wait until we watch the news of the people in the South returning to the shelters from rocket attacks emanating from Gaza.

· We must not wait until we see pictures of the Arabs of Judea and Samaria attacking innocent civilians and our families living there.

· We must not wait to read the headlines of buses being blown up again.

The time to prepare is now and we must unify and do whatever is needed to protect and defend our rights as a free Jewish People in our own land. Together, we can ensure that the necessary security equipment is in place to prevent these atrocities from occurring. And we must provide the emergency medical equipment to minimize the damage from the inevitable escalation of violence.

Yom Ha’atzmaut is the celebration of this freedom – a freedom renewed for the Jewish People in our homeland 62 years ago - may it continue to be so.

I eagerly look forward to hearing from you so we can protect and save innocent lives together.

Chag Sameach!

Marc Prowisor

Marc Prowisor is the Director of Security Projects for One Israel Fund. Marc oversees all aspects of life saving security, first response and emergency medical projects throughout Judea and Samaria. One Israel Fund is working diligently to prepare and assist the security apparatus throughout Judea and Samaria. Through its many projects and close cooperation with the Security Chiefs and IDF command, it is the goal of One Israel Fund to achieve better results and to be ready to meet the new challenges that face these Jewish communities.

Never Again what?

Yom HaShoah, (Holocaust Memorial Day) is coming up and the shouts of “Never Again” flood the cyber waves. From all walks and talks of Jewish life Jews are raising their fists, their voices, their thoughts. Not just any particular group, but the whole spectrum of our people. Amazing, some unity!

Forgive me, but Never Again what? I read that we wont let our people be methodically slaughtered again, we won’t let such a genocide take place again, against our own people.

Who exactly won’t let this happen again?

I read, again from the whole spectrum of our tribe, how now we have our land, our Jewish State, even a Jewish Army! I read and feel the pride our people, most of our people, are showing, and their determination to stop any such horror from happening again.

But what about stopping the process that may lead to the unthinkable?

That must be stopped first!

The enemies of the Jewish people realize very well who would put a stop to an attempt at destroying the Jewish people again, they know very well the State and the People of Israel will stand up and fight them.

Our enemies know exactly whose commandoes will show up at their doorstep, and they know they will be speaking Hebrew, not English.

Why do you think Israel is the brunt of their attacks now, why do you think they want to take our land away from us? Our enemies know where Jewish strength comes from.

The Arabs and Muslims in the Middle East do not care about genocide, you don’t see any demonstration against the slaughter of Africans in Darfur, and you don’t see shouts against the ongoing slaughter of Muslims against Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan. You don’t see Muslims in America standing up against these atrocities do you? Why is that?

Maybe they want Israel to disappear and the Jews to go back to the way it was 100 years ago, maybe they want the Jews to disappear all together, maybe.

Yom HaShoah closes in and you want to shout “Never Again”, well shout it, but do something about it! Stop standing idly by on the sidelines just raising your fists, stop your friends and neighbors from joining ranks with those that want to destroy us and take away our land. Stop letting people believe the lies regarding Israel and the (lack of) Peace process.

Start being involved and start taking action so that this process should not gain any more momentum.

We have lost enough people to violence, terror and ignorance. Let’s really give some honor to those that were taken from us by standing up stronger than ever against those that wish us gone and taken from our land and our own midst.

I know a bunch of people who will give their lives to make sure this will never happen again.

So lets expand on “Never Again”.

“Never Again” will Jews be victims of violence and terror.

“Never Again” will Jews be evicted from their land, any of their land.

“Never Again” will Jews stand quietly by and be fooled by our enemies.

“Never Again” will Jews be led to a slaughter.

NEVER AGAIN!

Obamafada

While the State Department voices it treacherous commitment to Israel and it’s sworn duty to tell “painful” truths, the dogs of war growl and drool as their cause is championed by the present US administration.

One of these “painful truths” that bothers me is the up and coming and seemingly inevitable outbreak of a new intifada, or as I have termed it, “Obamafada”. While the President of the United States might not be personally championing further violence in this region, I use this term simply because every time his administration makes a move, we grow closer to another outbreak of violence. This time he is the catalyst.

When he pressures an already confused government, and attempts to bend them to his will, we always see an increase in violence. Of course an irony that is in plain view is, the more he supports the PA Authority boss Abass, Hamas gains strength. A vicious circle, no doubt, but them again, the Middle East hosts no logic.

The new supposed reason behind this perverted strategy is that Israel’s behavior is bad for the US - apparently we do not harbor enough terrorists, or sponsor enough terrorism to warrant support from the Minyan at the Whitehouse. Either that or General Petraeus just cant succeed in fighting Islamic terror.

We have even been told apparently, that if we promise to give up land, the Arabs will stop telling their kids to kill us, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

It is not going to get any better, and it seems that this US policy of bullying Israel against the US better interests is here to stay, at least till a new election. The army of White House advisors have apparently convinced “anyone who is anyone”, that it is better to have the Muslim Countries and Islamic people as friends then a bunch of Jews in the Middle East.

They should be commended for they have even convinced it seems, most of US Jewry of the same distorted vision.

Congrats!

Yes, go ahead make friends with the Arabs, sell out Israel. The peace loving Arabs only want quiet and a peaceful existence with Israel, NOT! Sure, make Israel go back to the UN partition (read: Suicidal), you remember, 1947, and there will be peace on earth, maybe.

Now for something really scary, this concept and ridiculous thought process is coming from the country that leads the free world.

It is interesting how Russia and China stand by quietly as the US plots it’s own downfall in the eyes of the world. They watch as this giant stoops and trips. They are not stupid, they realize that as soon as the US stabs Israel in the back, most other countries will seek out a stronger friend, and ally in the face of world terrorism and it will be either Russia or China.

After hearing what Hillary Clinton had to say regarding “Settlement Activity” I realized that it was a bad hair day at State.

She said “But we also expect Israel to continue taking concrete steps that will help turn that vision into reality”….”legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians” and so on. The “Palestinian vision”, their “aspirations”, does anyone know what they are?

They wish Israel and the Jews to disappear from the Middle East.

This is what the US admin is asking us to do, in other words, to help the Arabs kill ourselves. Not paranoia, this is fact, just listen to the speeches as spoken in Arabic.

If it is peace she is after, let her say Peace for Peace, not “Land for Peace”, not Peace for “cessation of inciting children against Israel”, not release of Terrorists, but only Peace.

But Hillary doesn’t want that, Prez Obama doesn’t want that, they just want the Muslims and the Arabs to leave them alone, know why? Because they are weak and do not represent a strong America, among other things.

They will continue to buckle under the Islamic threat and they will not safeguard America against her enemies. Even worse they are now giving the Arabs a license to act against the continued presence of the Jewish people in their land. Imagine, so now when there is an act of Terror against Jews in Judea and Samaria, it is in US interest and even sanctioned in unspoken words.

Hillary Rodham and Barak Hussein have succeeded in achieving a serious goal for the Muslim and Arab world, they have driven a wedge into the Jewish people.

It is now up to us, those who see it, to work at pulling it out, before it is too late.

The Games We Play

One of the great game boards of the world is and always has been the Middle East, Israel especially. Since the time of Abraham, when he was given some insights regarding the Real Estate of the region, this area has been coveted by every power in the world. It seems that just because it was promised to the Jewish people, every one wants a piece of it.

Israel has no great amounts of natural resources, no oil, no water or great natural gas deposits. Our only and most valuable resource that we have is the Jewish people, and the only time the land of Israel flourishes is when we are there, en masse.

The amount of good and knowledge that comes out of Israel and the Jewish people in Israel is not proportionate to the size of the people and land, the numbers of Nobel Prizes, Awards, Technological and Medical Advances, to name a few categories is renown and amazing. This happens most when there is an Israel with Jews in it, and the most advances for our people and the world have occurred since 1967, since we have been back in our land, all of our land.

This is not a coincidence it is a simple fact.

In fact, if we look back at history, when did the Arab world start taking a renewed interest in Israel? Only since the Jewish people started returning to their land.

The early Jewish returnees had no choice but to revive the land and by doing this, more jobs and opportunities became available. Suddenly a flower bloomed in the desert, and this caught the eyes not just of the world, but of course the Arabs of the region, from Syria, the Eastern region of then Palestine, today called Jordan and Egypt. Simply out of seeking a better life for themselves from amidst the squalor they were (and are) used to, they came to Israel to be near the Jews, to take advantage of work and opportunities, to make things better for themselves. No illusions, straight up, they were not looking for a homeland, a spiritual renewal, they were simple opportunists, seeing the possibilities of a better life they came to the Jews and to Israel (which was by the way called Palestine at the time).

Of course over a short time they decided that instead of living peacefully with the Jewish people in Israel, it would be best to throw them out, big mistake.

I am sure everyone remembers the story of the Goose that laid the Golden Eggs, well, who says that was just a story.

It seems that today everyone is trying to get at the “guts” of Israel, our Heartland, they figure that’s where the gold is, to do that you have to kill the Goose, right?

They are right, that is where the gold is, but what they do not understand is that it is the joining of the Jewish people to their heartland, heritage and Birthright that creates the gold.

In their greed and hatred of Israel and the Jewish people, the Arabs and other enemies of the Jewish people and of a Jewish State, refuse to notice this main ingredient, this win-win combination, and they will attempt to cut apart the Goose to get the gold, big mistake.

This wonderful and winning combination of the Jewish people in their Heartland is being kept from a majority of our people, mostly those overseas. They have been mislead into thinking that the Jews from Judea and Samaria are not part of the State of Israel and that Judea and Samaria are not part of the country. This common error has spread like a globetrotting virus, infecting the non-inoculated ignorant masses.

Judea and Samaria are an integral part of Israel, and have always been, look it up. Besides being historically important to us as a people, many supporters of Israel and those Israelis that support Leftist views tend to forget the strategic and security importance this land holds for us.

As I view Ben Gurion Airport from Haresha or Maale Levona, I often wonder what it would look like through a gunners or Rocket Site. How would the “Left” act when our main Airport gets shut down due to Kassam or Katusha fire? What would the US State Department say when Israel’s infrastructure comes under attack? What would they say after the same mistakes of the Gaza expulsion are (Gd forbid) made?

I’m sorry, I can’t seem to hear you through the cheers of the Arabs and Islamic world, yell louder!

Too Late! They Left couldn’t say anything, the world wouldn’t say anything, the Jews living outside of Israel, who would support such madness would just Tsk, Tsk away. Who would bare the responsibility? Who would rush to our side? Who will comfort us and help us bury our dead? Who?

Sorry again, the cheers of our enemies are just too loud…. maybe you can sign your answer to me, or better yet, send me a SMS.

I know that Israel’s PR is pretty much non-existent and our reputation regarding Judea and Samaria has been violated and perverted. Never the less, all efforts should be made to reintroduce our heartland and heritage to our people, at least come out to see for yourselves, but be warned, do not be led by someone who wants you to leave, but by someone who loves our people and who loves our land for what it is, a part of our people.

We as a world only stand to benefit from this combination - we all share in this gold. This combination of the Jewish People in their Homeland is the winning combo and it is we who are responsible to the world to keep this combination together, yes we Jews are responsible.

Do not let fear decide who you are, do not let deceit be your guide.

We are seeing a renewed and stronger effort by the Arab nations to cleanse us from our land. The double-edged standard will be wielded with a wider arc in the name of peace. It will be aimed, as usual towards the Jewish people and their continued existence in their land.

The threats will and are coming from all directions - our strength will and does come from within.

The results of giving into these ridiculous claims and desires of our enemies will wreak havoc and this will affect not just us in Israel, but the world, all of the world. Guess who will be first to suffer?

This is something that can and must be avoided. The way to start and fight this threat of havoc is by renewing and strengthening our connection to our homeland, to the places we read about in our history, in our Torah. Just to coin a phrase, our Birthright, but I mean our real Birthright, the places our forefathers walked and lived, you know the places most trips don’t show you, start in the beginning.

Some more preachin'

Some more preaching to the Choir…

I attended a “talk” at UCLA, the last of a series regarding Israel. This talk was given by a resident of one of the larger communities in the Shomron, , no stranger to the effort and cause of resettling our homeland, and regarded with esteem in many circles, both in Israel and among the “Choir” outside. The audience was not large, but made varied in religion, religious observance and political views.

My heart was warmed by her talk regarding our world in Yehuda and Shomron, as I know and live in the same world as she does. The talk ended and it was time for questions - the honeymoon was over. Obviously there were the questions from the “choir” which were answered with love and caring, but then came the questions by those whose views had already been hijacked by the “haters” among us. This is where ignorance and arrogance reigned - on both sides.

Many of our “representatives” who speak outside of the country are simply residents, “machers”, activists - they speak with the zeal and love of a land and people that continues to be the flames in our hearts. They represent strength and dedication and they are responsible for having set in motion the wonderful path we are on today in our country.

What many of them do not know is the other side. How do the Arabs think? How does the Left think and why? And the problem which I immediately saw – what do the young non-observant or non-affiliated Jews of the US think?

Simple questions were raised regarding “Palestinian” rights to land, treatment at roadblocks, polarization in Israeli society (raised by an Israeli), and of course the “A” word- apartheid.

Each question raised or each critique of Israel posed to the speaker could have been easily answered with just a bit of knowledge regarding Arab history and a bit of knowledge regarding the present “PA” authority.

Instead I heard how “well we and the Arabs got along”, “how the Arabs really want us there”, and comparisons to pre-Oslo/post-Oslo conditions.

Many speakers from Israel, and for that matter our own PR from the foreign ministry often dismiss our enemy’s rhetoric, and say, “who cares what they say, we know the truth”. Well, they and everybody who speaks, better start caring what they say because our ignoring of this subject has lead us down a path that is quite difficult today. Time to learn what the other side says and give it right back to them, with both barrels!

I will not write an article defending each of the issues, mostly because of a lack of writing ability and I, too need to learn more.

I would like to mention a few points - every place in the world has its problems and citizens ALL throughout the world have issues with security and or police policies. We are no worse than anywhere else – in fact, we are better, much better in Israel than most. Yes, basic human rights do get violated at roadblocks, not always, but it does happen and you know what, thank G-d. That is the way terror is prevented. We have to ask ourselves, or ask those that critique us, how far they would go to protect there families, what would they do to protect their children from harm? Would they infringe on someone else’s rights, yes they would and in a big way. I would suggest these “critics” check out their own local police station or US armed forces before they yell at Israel.

It bothers me that those who critique and enjoy a safe and secure life take no part in the effort nor understand the sacrifices being made so that they can enjoy their “latte” in the morning.

Regarding how well we get along - well we really do not get along very well anymore. In the past, we did but today is a totally different story. One of the true crimes of Oslo is simply that we were on our way to and increasing peaceful existence with the Arabs of Judea and Samaria. These are not my words or thoughts, the Arab leadership in Judea and Samaria at the time warned the Israeli government of the mistake of “dealing” with Arafat. Where as this is known amongst the negotiators of the time, my own source for this statement was discussions with the village leadership from my own region of Shilo. I still remember the “fire-fights” between the Arafat factions and the local leadership of the area. Israel made sure that Arafat would be victorious, after all, since we allowed them to bring their weapons with them and when that wasn’t enough, Shimon Peres made sure they had more.

Last, but not least, the “A” word. I agree with those that say there is Apartheid in Israel for as long as Jews cannot live in Hevron, Nablus or anywhere in the Land of Israel based on religious discrimination, there is Apartheid. Sorry if I offended any of you who think different. Israel is a Jewish country so, therefore, Jews should be able to live wherever they like.

The point is that no one is perfect, not even Israel, and not even we who live in Judea and Samaria. But we are doing a damn good job - better than EVERYONE who might find themselves in the same position that we have been since our re-birth as a country.

So my advice to any of our speakers who go overseas to speak - learn a little more about what is going on around you; learn about both sides and you will be much prouder than ever and you will be able to disarm our enemies and defend our people more than ever.