#$^@&*!&

The continuous barrage of Rocks, Molotov Cocktails, varied shooting attacks − the attempted infiltrations, some successful, both in the South and in Judea and Samaria − the constant battle against terror − the ongoing sabotage against our farmers and shepherds − it continues, day after day, month after month, year after year, without any end in sight.

We know the reason. It’s very simple. In fact… too simple for most to comprehend.

The Arabs do not want us here, anywhere.  

Indeed, it is a straightforward, unadorned truth.  Yet, even those who claim to be pro Israel and, dare I say…Zionists, are blind to this basic reality.

In the meantime, the savage and relentless attacks against Israel persist.

 To be sure, the IDF does what it is told to do to in response to these attacks. But, therein lays the difference. They do what they are told, not what they are capable of doing.

Whose fault is that?  It is the fault of the government, and the members of Knesset, both right wing, and left wing, “extreme” and “moderate”.  I am pained to say that many of the politicians of Israel do not care enough about Jewish life in our land, be it in the south, north or in our heartland.

No nation in this world would put up with incessant attacks upon our people and our sovereign soil the way Israel does. NO NATION SHOULD.  So why is it that our politicians sit back, giving no more than an obligatory sound bite?

Where is the outrage?

Over the years, I have dealt on “ground level” with the consequences of our politicians’ lip service,  seeing the body count rise on all sides, due to lack of action and empty words.

During the Oslo War, I observed how our soldiers and security personnel were either limited in their response or, were prevented from carrying out measures that would have saved lives − on both sides.  We see this all too often. It seems that when Jews are hurt, it serves the interests of all politicians, in our camp as well as the enemy’s.  Unfortunately, some of our left wing parties as well, rejoice when those who oppose their misguided views are attacked.

There is no excuse, no logic, and no reason sound enough, as to why Israel continues to supply the Arabs of Gaza with supplies. Evidently, however, our politicians are more concerned with world opinion than with the lives of our people. Furthermore, giving voice to our enemies from within, propping up supporters, aiders and abettors of those who wage terror against us by allowing them to remain members of Knesset, has turned the Knesset into a theater of the absurd.

In the course of my work − filling the gaps of security and medical needs, I see first hand the negligence of our government (all successive governments) in the protection of our people. I have no answer to the question I hear almost daily, “Why doesn’t the government take care of this?”

The questions as to why our lack of response to such attacks boggles the mind.  And yet again, more clowns enter the field.  The largest anti Israel body on this earth…the UN has put out a report about the “settlements”, and the affect on the Arab populous of Judea and Samaria.  Topics such as “Settler” violence, land grabs and so on, will be the subject of this bogus investigation.  And what is the response of our heroes in the halls of government?  They will not take part, and will refuse to lend a helping hand.

#%$&@%!!!!!!

Why not take part in this survey?

Show the world how Arab violence has affected OUR people. Tell the world the abundant amount of attacks that we endure, that we put up with…DAILY!!!!

Show the world that Arab violence is alive and well, and running rampant.

Show the world how lies and misinformation flood the media.

To remain silent? To react with nothing more than an ineffective tantrum?

Why not fight back? Why not hit back, and hit back hard? The facts are on our side. The truth is on our side. That none will listen, is a given. But at least fight back and fight back hard.

The era of the shtetle Jew is over, at least in Israel.  We owe nothing to anybody but to ourselves.  If our Arab neighbors and other enemies wish to live in violence by their own initiative, we should show them the path to hell.

Should they and their “allies” wish to carry the gauntlet of peace with us, we will share the rewards of heaven.

We cannot afford to allow ourselves to have this violence visited upon us, no matter what the cost to anyone else.  Our gloves must come off against all of those that cause harm to Israel and side with our enemies. 

When we stop holding back, peace will come to this region, it is up to us.

Election Folly

I landed in the US on Nov 7… the “day after”.  Like many others on my flight, if not the majority, when I checked the results of the election, I was not surprised.  I watched as the faces changed from the joy of landing safely and beating out the Nor’easter, to near horror-stricken when realizing that the White House would not be changing hands.

At the same time, I felt a bit of relief.  It’s over, results known; time to assess, and to move forward.  Reports conveyed that approximately 70% of the Jewish vote went to Obama − again no surprise there.  There were statements of shock regarding just how many “religious” Jews voted for a candidate who is in favor of ripping the Jewish heartland from its people.   In fact, the chasm between those of us who live in Israel, and those in the US, once again proved to be as wide as ever, with no prospect of attenuating the intensity.

That chasm which is the real problem, that had it been truly addressed, analyzed, and properly challenged would have brought about a different result in the “Jewish” vote, and perhaps even in the election results.

The tens of millions of dollars or more donated to the Romney campaign by our Jewish brethren did little to sway the Jewish vote. Nine percent change in the Jewish voting margin cannot be considered success.

While Israel is not the top swing topic of liberal Jewish voters, it is right up there, next to Women’s and Gay rights and other human rights issues.  The Israel/Palestinian peace efforts have affected many of our voters and I find it troubling that 70% of American Jewish voters do not comprehend what’s at stake. Worse yet, if they do comprehend then they presented a clear statement of apathy.

The support for Obama conveys indifference on the part of American Jewry over Israel giving up its heritage and its heartland. Their apathy paves the way for a new Arab state to rise, void of the ideals and values treasured in western culture, a state, which would undoubtedly be hostile to Israel and the United States.

Conversely, polls communicated unmistakably the over 80% of Israeli support for Romney as their choice for US president.  Israelis, for the most part, recognize that Obama cannot be trusted with regard to Israel’s security.

We are on our own, and we accept that.  

Nevertheless, why is it that US Jews see eye to eye with Obama with regard to his foreign policy vis a vis Israel? What might have been done to precipitate a change, and what can we now focus upon?

The fact is that many US Jews if not most, regardless of their various backgrounds, have a misinformed and misconstrued view of the reality in Israel, especially of Judea and Samaria.

Take a moment to ponder the following:  Barely any of them can actually connect our history to a map. They might send their children to Hebrew school or to day school, but ask them to trace Abraham’s travels on a map or to point out the locations of the names mentioned in the bible, and they can’t.  Ask them about our history in the region and their response would be sorely lacking. Ask them if they have visited these areas, and they will tell you they haven’t.  Then ask why. 

This lack of connection to our land is an orchestrated and nefarious effort that serves to maintain a wedge between our people and our land.  This trend of disconnect to our history in our country has caused a major negative impact in the mindset of the American Jew.

Imagine the effect on the election results had a portion of the millions of dollars invested in the campaign been used to dissuade the lies regarding Judea and Samaria, expose the efforts (our own included) to separate our people from Israel, and used rather to educate and connect our people to the realities of the Middle East.

Imagine the effect had some of the funds been used to aggressively fight the perversions disseminated by groups such as J Street and Americans for Peace Now, as well as Sarah Silverman receiving a lesson and taste of reality, rather than contemplating which straddle position she would use to affect candidacy funding.

This is a real issue of critical importance. We must face it and deal with it.

Our people must be reconnected with their land, their eyes opened to the lies of our enemies, from within and without, and these lies and efforts must be fought.  Complacency is not an option, when our people or our land is at stake.

That Obama was chosen to serve another term, as President of the United States, does not deter me. Such an ominous result actually shines a light on a challenge that we can and must overcome to bring about a brighter future.

How will we in Israel deal with the election results? 

We will do fine. It might get a little difficult. The road might become slippery, rocky, and sometimes seem impassable, but we will engage in the 4X4 mode, put it in low gear, and get through what we need to get through, shoving aside as many obstacles as necessary through the hilly terrain. We are stronger than any candidate, and we have what to show the world.

There is an answer….

The Gauntlet

The holiday season in Israel is readily noticed also by the increase of tourists arriving here.  Indeed many even make their way out to Judea and Samaria, not only the biblical heartland, but where we actually started here in Israel, from Abraham onward.

Always noticeably missing are the secular Jewish tourists, Jews who hail from Conservative and Reform congregations.  They are in Israel, in fact there are always “missions” here, but their leadership makes sure to keep them away from the Jewish Heartland.  Often claiming “too politically charged”, “dangerous” and many other pitiful excuses.

Funny how we can always find mainstream US Jewish “leadership” in Ramallah, but a visit to Shilo, Beit El and more, simply out of the question.  Gd forbid they visit sites directly connected to their own history.  Sites that would strengthen their own identity and connection, their congregations identity and connection, stated challenges they face in keeping their respective flocks at home.  Why would they wish to keep their people disconnected and ignorant to their history?  Why would they deny them the chance to walk in the steps of their forefathers?  What are they afraid of?

I am not talking politics, simply the chance to visit these places that are so important to us as a people.  They all claim to be so “pro-Israel”, so why should these places be so different. 

Federations and so on, will always visit Jewish sites in other countries on “Heritage” tours, but to see their own heritage in Israel, to be denied them by their own leadership??? Seems suspicious.

In almost all Jewish Congregations of worship, the “stories” are read, the Torah and Haftorahs are recited…how many of you and your congregants can point out the locations mentioned on a map, how many have people have visited them, how many maybe would like to?

I would like to issue the challenge to any “Rabbi who avoids places like Shilo, Beit El, Hevron…to throw down the gauntlet, if you will.  If you are not trying to manipulate your congregation’s political leanings, if you are not trying to deny them the chance of a lifetime to really see where they are from, then take them out to Judea and Samaria, no politics, just history, our history.

Of course if you are attempting to mold and manipulate others opinions to match your own rather than develop their own informed opinions and ideas, or allow others to be misinformed, and deny them their history and heritage, you will ignore this letter.

For those of you who are not ignoring this letter, ask your Rabbi about it.  Succot is a time of all Jews coming together…we are here, waiting for you with open arms.

Need help in getting here?  Be in touch, marcpro@oneisraelfund.org

Chag Sameach!