Jew! He shouted

“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

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

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

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

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)

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

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.