180525
25th
May 2018
Shabbat
Shalom! How are you? I hope you are well or at least recovering!
When we
were children we were told the story of Nero fiddling while Rome burnt and
tended to take it as literal, whereas in fact our romantic version was
allegorical the true story was filled with tyranny and corruption. Nero himself
set fire to the Christian Quarter of Rome to build himself a huge palace. Today's
media are the modern equivalent of Nero, they play their own fiddle
irrespective of the flames that engulf most of the world, concentrating on
their political agenda and the agenda of whoever pays their advertising. The
days of believing what is reported in the press are over, done and dusted. As I
always say to those who criticise Israel as a cruel overlord, "If all I
saw was what the BBC I would probably feel the way you do" The view from
there is so slanted that the violin has no strings.
This week's death tolls - Syria – 204,
Sudan – 170, Yemen – 230, Ethiopia -
"dozens", Nigeria- 1,351 in 10 weeks, Congo
- 49 out of 5,000,000. So why did the media, UN and ICJ ignore those horrors
and suddenly care about 50 Hamas deaths?
The
violent "demonstrations" on Israel's Southern Border are
slowing down as Hamas once again asks for a brokered Hutnah – cease fire. The
question is whether the cease-fire will benefit the Gazan people or if they
will use the hiatus to rearm and build new tunnels. The International Community
has missed an essential element in the situation – education to hate. http://www.impact-se.org/reports/palestinian-territories/hamas/ The worst perpetrators? UNWRA schools.
There
is a huge difference between the Palestinians of the West Bank, the Palestinian
Authority, and the Gazans. Quite apart from the ethnic differences there is
another important element, the West Bank Palestinians have lived, and in most
cases, worked, alongside Israelis. While the youngsters have been radicalized it
is still a much smaller minority who call for the destruction of Israel. Their young
people want the fine things in life, the pop music, the electric bikes, the
fashionable labels on their sports shoes and clothes, they see that life can be
good if they are. Let Khaled Abu Toameh explain, he does it better than anyone.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/west-banks-apathy-amid-gaza-chaos-shows-palestinians-becoming-a-divided-people/
USA,
Guatemala and Paraguay have already moved their Embassies to Jerusalem and
Jerusalem has welcomed them with open arms and great ceremony. Two Embassies
are within sight, the Guatemalan and Paraguayan Embassies are in the
Technological Park right in front of our veranda. The irony is that they are in
the same building as CNN and BBC!! Our neighborhood became hot news for ten
minutes! The Czech Government chose to open an Honorary Consulate rather than
an Embassy but their Foreign Minister Martin Stropnicky spoke out loud
and clear on the subject of the Gazan demonstrations. He said they have no
connection to the return of the American Embassy to Jerusalem and are simply
acts of terrorism. A brave statement indeed as the lone member of the European
Union to speak out for Israel.
There
was a very important vote in the Knesset this week and for once I agreed totally
with Meretz leader Tamar Zandberg. For diplomatic reasons Israel did not
recognise the Armenian Genocide, the forced exile of at least a million
and the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Armenians by Turkey.
Our
relationship with Turkey was healthy on military, economic and tourism levels
even during the beginnings of the more and more megalomaniacal regime of Tyepp
Erdogan. His rantings and ravings are more like Hitlers every day, his hatred
for Israel, Turkey's former ally, his deepening alliance with extremist Islamic
groups deepening by the minute. We no longer
have to bend to the will of Turkey, on this subject we never should have.
Israel, of all countries, must recognise the Armenian genocide – and we must
honour the Armenian community who found safe haven here in Jerusalem.
It
is ironic that a Turkish leader accuses Israel of genocide
in Gaza, a miserable place to live but with a burgeoning population, yet
chooses to ignore Turkey's decimation of Assyrians, Armenians, Greeks,
Maronites and Dersim Kurds. Attaturk is spinning in his grave. See this article
by Ambassador Zvi Mazel https://www.jns.org/opinion/
I try
my best to stay out of the politics of other countries, but I must express my
disappointment concerning the meeting that apparently will not take place
between North Korea and the USA, Kim and Trump, in Singapore. Let us hope it
has simply been deferred to another date. Meanwhile the posturing continues!!
So
who watched the wedding – or as my Daddy would have said "de vedding"?
I thought it was spectacular. Elegant to the last white flower; what about those
elegant, interesting and funny sideways hats which for some strange reason are
called "fascinators"? Since we no longer have the BBC on our TV provider
and it seemed inappropriate to hear the commentary in Hebrew I watched CNN.
Richard Quest clearly knew what he was talking about as did Iysha Sasey, both
raised in the British traditions, but I must admit the statement from a lovely
American lady "specialist" brought a fast response from Mr Quest, not
known for holding back…. She said "Now that there is a feminist woman of
colour in the English (British please) Royal Family she will no doubt change
many things" to which Richard Quest quipped "Hardly likely. Even the
Queen can't influence policy"! I love these occasions which bring out that
old fashioned British loyalty to Queen and country, which has become
unfashionable. Union Jacks abounded, laughter and joy were the order of the day
and the handsome couple brought romance back into a very tough world. Gosh the
Brits know how to perform ceremonial occasions.
Talking
of the Royal Family
being unable to influence policy, the Royals have made several private visits
to Israel, Prince Charles for both Peres and Rabins funerals, Prince Philip for
the honoring of his Mother, Princess Alice of Greece, as a Righteous Gentile by
Yad Vashem. Both Charles and Philip visited Princess Alices grave on the Mount
of Olives. All of these visits were unofficial, that is without the official consent
and organisation of the Foreign Office which is about as pro-Israel as the
State Department! Anyway, whatever the reason, Prince William is headed our
way. On June 24th he will arrive in Amman to meet King Abdullah
then he will visit Jerash, a truly magnificent site which we had the honour of
visiting with King Abdullah's Royal Archaeologist years ago. From there he will
travel to Tel Aviv then Jerusalem, finally to Ramallah before heading home. As
the future King of Great Britain, Ireland and the Commonwealth I believe this
to be a very important step.
Congresswoman
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
is an exceptional woman. Her contribution to her country and her loyalty to her
heritage are unequalled. The first Cuban woman to enter Congress she is also a
proud defender of Israel. Please read all about her. https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Honoring-Ros-Lehtinens-unique-contributions-to-human-rights-and-democratic-values-556672
Before
we get to the happy, clappy part of my missive I have to let off steam. Not
only the idiots who held a very public Kaddish, prayer of mourning, for the 50
Hamasniks who died in the "peaceful demonstrations" …they called themselves Jews yet felt no
allegiance whatsoever to Israel or our need to defend ourselves. Perhaps even
worse than that is the ignorant spoutings of some members of ………. No I won't
say it, some people we know who left Israel and went to California and the good
life. They are so ignorant of the truth that they support anti-Israel groups, and have lost even the tiniest iota of moral relevance. I am so mad I feel
sick! I don't expect anyone to love us or everything we do but to totally deny
the amazing contribution this little country has given to the world is
ignorant, infuriating and treacherous. OK Rant over. Now to good things.
Last
Saturday evening Zvi and I found ourselves in the Baka neighbourhood of
Jerusalem in the wonderful garden of Rami and Yael Erez where we were all dressed
in white! White is traditional apparel for Shevuot, even though in Israel
Shevuot ended as dusk. It was such a delightful evening with many, many old
friends. One person I had long wanted to talk to, to and spend time with is
Dassy Stern, wife of Yair Stern, the son of Avraham Stern the leader of the
Lehi. Our conversation was of today not of the past and I hope we will continue
over a cup of coffee!
Why is
IKEA Israel different to all other IKEA's? Because the food is all Mehadrin
Kosher and the stores are not open on Shabbat. Rachel and I always try to get
there before opening, drink the excellent free coffee and order one of their
outstanding breakfasts.
Despite
the horrendous heat – 41 degrees two days ago – the veranda is looking
spectacular! Geraniums need no looking after, just dead-heading but to my
amazement the Hibiscus bushes are all doing really well, rewarding us with
orange, yellow and pink blooms. The remnants of the Sahara which fell upon us
last week have now been cleaned away and the garden chairs are in place for the
balmy Jerusalem evenings.
I am
about to go to Givat Ze'ev to see the family which is fun and I won't need WAZE
to get me there, I will follow the aroma of Rachel's freshly baked Challot! I
don't need to cook this Shabbat because we are going to Kfar Maccabiah, the
Maccabiah Village for Shabbat. Imagine, me not cooking!!!! Tonight will be
amazing, meeting up with old friends especially Leo-Dan and Eva Bensky from
Finland, very excited they will be here together.
So what
should I play for your enjoyment this week?
Richard
Shavei-Zion is a former South African who lives in Israel and produced this
outstanding international rendition of Oseh Shalom https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=298&v=0FB6JK8uE9s
The
next song makes me very happy – in fact I can't imagine it not making anyone
happy!! A wonderful Jerusalem version of Pharrell Williams song
"Happy" https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=-oszKeU7lEs
Shabbat
Shalom dear friends, I will think of you as I go over the hill next to Samuel's
Tomb and look over the breathtaking panorama of Jerusalem. Maybe next time I'll
take you with me!
With
love from Jerusalem and our amazing veranda
Sheila
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