210603
3rd
June 2021
Shabbat
Shalom dear friends.
Today I
intend pouring my heart out about the state of politics here, actually, that's
the wrong expression because I firmly believe that, if it actually comes to
fruition, Israel will have the only truly democratic government in the world!
Just think about it, discount the extremes and take 3 right wing parties, a left
wing party, 2 centrist parties and a representative Arab party and put them all
together into a melting pot of discussion able to come out agreeing to disagree
for the better of the country. Indeed of all the outstanding politicians I
believe that Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz stand out. Why? Because both are
willing to take a step back in order to create a working government which
covers the interests of the vast majority of this country, those who serve in
the IDF, work hard and pay taxes who have had a bad deal over the last 12
years. Having expressed my pleasure at the prospective government I, together
with the vast majority of Israelis, am tired of the system which allowed one
Prime Minister to use every possible ploy to stay in power, bring us to 4
elections and refuse to step down despite very serious legal issues. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/FBRKZCEYJ
Sadly,
a once brilliant man, Benjamin Netanyahu, has brought us to such deeply
fractured society that it will take a long time to heal. I hope and pray that
this government will come to fruition and we will all reap the benefits.
Finally and at last a budget so that Ministries can operate and disburse
funding.
Isaac
"Boug'ie" Herzog is a seasoned politician, understands the Diaspora,
is not confined to just Jewish interests and is a real gentleman. He was the
leader of the Labour Party, his last position was as Chairman of the Jewish
Agency and last night he became the 11th President of Israel. A
truly worthy candidate and a man who, I believe, will do the position great
honour. The alternative candidate is a wonderful woman, a woman who draws at everyone's
heartstrings having lost two sons to war, but not as President of Israel. I
believe that Isaac Herzog is the right person to fill the very impressive boots
of Reuven Rivlin and Shimon Peres; two very tough acts to follow but he will do
it well. His father Major-General
Chaim Herzog was an Israeli politician, general, lawyer and author who served
as the sixth President of Israel between 1983 and 1993. This is
the first time that a son has followed his father into the Presidency.
In
Israel the role of President is titular, but has enormous power in terms of the
international community and is often the face of Israel to the outside world.
Well, Isaac Herzog is a gentleman. Don't be fooled by his baby face, he is
ideal for the job! Actually, I'm going to tell you a secret, Zvi is the one who
gave him his first ever speaking engagement when Herzog was just 24. Zvi was
responsible for speakers for the Diaspora within Keren Hayesod and one day he
was approached to give a very polite newly wed a chance at speaking "He's
President Herzog's son". Zvi immediately arranged a speaking tour in the
UK, since Herzog speak perfect English having been raised with an Irish/Israeli
father, and so his career began. Unlike all the other people that Zvi set on
their path to success, Boug'ie has never forgotten and proudly presents Zvi to
all and sundry as "the man who got me started".
There
is just one problem with Mansour Abbas' Ra'am Party joining the coalition, well
actually there are more but the current problem is that he refuses to recognise
the LGBTQ community, his objections far stronger than any of the religious
Jewish parties. Who would have thought that with all our security problems that
might be the one that breaks the proverbial camel's back!! Today was the Gay
Parade in Jerusalem which brought the subject to the forefront. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HJDKO008900
So as
we suspected the main purpose of the Hamas missile attacks was to get attention
and more money! However, they have come up against a brick wall. Oh they will
get the money but only if they are willing to allow Mahmoud Abbas to oversee the
disbursement. Remember that one of the catalysts to the confrontation was when
Mahmoud Abbas cancelled the elections in the West Bank because he realised that
Hamas would win which in turn made Abbas, Abu Mazen, Haniyeh sworn enemy. In
the meantime, in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Doha, Qatar, one of the leaders
of Hamas spent over $1,000,000 for a week's stay including some $26,000 on
massages – I was sent the receipt!! Please remember that they are about to get
$300 million from the USA. The people get nothing!
Talking about
foreign aid and Gaza; as you know most of the aid is monitored by UNWRA which
is supposed to deal with education, welfare etc. The Director of UNWRA in Gaza
was a gentleman by the name of Matthias Schmale, made a statement which angered
his bosses and his wards Schmale told Israel’s Channel 12 last week that the Israeli military strikes on the Gaza
Strip appeared to be carried out with “sophistication” and “precision.”
He has been relieved of his position and his deputy declared persona non grata.
Hamas is furious!!
Impact-se has done it again. Yesterday, Bild, the most visited German news site and leading newspaper, released a piece showing how Palestinian textbooks promote
antisemitism and fuel hatred of Israel under the headline “School books stir up hatred of
Israel.” The article cites examples from Palestinian textbooks,
sourced from IMPACT-se’s most recent report on the Palestinian curriculum. The report
details lessons that delegitimize Israel, glorify suicide bombings, encourage
violent jihad and justify the killing of Jews.
As I
receive reports about the constant and often violent reports of beatings and
stabbings of Jews throughout the Diaspora I am desperately worried about you.
At least here in Israel we know who our enemies are and have the IDF to defend
us; you don't. The attacks are becoming an everyday event, unprovoked and vicious.
We have our wonderful young activists, out spoke and brave; some write about is
https://boazmunro.medium.com/dear-american-progressives-your-jewish-friends-are-terrified-b24068fcf488
These
attacks, even if they are "just" verbal must be reported; whether the
ADL in the USA or CST in the UK, don't let it go unreported to the police. Today's
verbal abuse is tomorrow's physical abuse…… I know life is good but don't be complacent,
please. Wake up and smell the stink of Kristallnacht.
If you
can think back as far as pre-Covid-19, you will remember our insane social life,
well, moving to a new apartment just 1 month ago hasn't made a difference! Zvi
not only sings with the Jerusalem Academy of Music choir, he is on the Board.
This week saw the meetings of the Academy, the ceremony for the presentation of
prizes and the inevitable food. The best part was hearing the phenomenal talents
of the youngsters chosen to play or sing for us. There was one cellist who
brought tears to my eyes his playing was so exquisite and an oboist. This young
man succeeded in bringing sweet sounds from one of the most difficult of
woodwinds. The next evening there was a private concert at the Jerusalem
Theatre in which the Academy Orchestra played a modern piece and then one of my
absolute favourites "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Yesterday Sergio and
Sara Verbitzky came for lunch and then I escaped and went to see my Rachel. The
children were all home and it was great, hearing their constant chatter about
what they learn and who they were with and which exams they were learning for.
On my way home I managed to stop, just for you, and wonder at the panorama from
Samuel's Tomb. The soft evening light turned all the buildings of the patchwork
of neighborhoods turn a pinky gold, the soft undulating hills of the Golden
City delineating the growth from the ancient Temple Mount to a thriving city of
900,000 inhabitants.
Today I
went out for lunch, to a fabulous restaurant where just three weeks ago a
missile landed!! Such a strange thing, it didn't bother me!! Tomorrow we are
off to Dimona for Shabbat. No not to see the place that Shimon Peres created
and everyone knows exists but doesn't talk about… we are going with the choir
to an hotel which holds singing weekends. Should be fun.
Why are
Caleb and Joshua so important in the history of this land? When Moses sent out
the 12 spies to see what the land of Canaan was all about, 10, too lazy to
really check things out for themselves, made up stories of giants and evil
creatures whereas Caleb and Joshua came, searched, investigated and found a land
of milk and honey. So it is today, those who have never been here have
absolutely no idea what a treasure this country is, filled with "kol
tuv" with goodness and beauty. Just imagine if Moses had listened to those
too lazy to discover for themselves. That is part of this week's Bible reading
and it seems so appropriate.
Back to
the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, they made a flashmob at Ben Gurion
Airport at a time when there were actually people there to welcome the young
people of Taglit! Shalom Aleichem, Peace be with you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Keren
Peles is an Israeli singer who, like so many, goes to various IDF bases to
entertain the troops. Here, right on the border of Gaza, she found a young
"Kravi" soldier who fought through to be there, a Commander, a girl.
They sing together https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGSBrPc9-os
Each
morning, as we wake, we thank the Almighty for returning our soul to us; each
morning we thank the Almighty for everything around us. Omer Adam singing Modeh
Ani https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npRw36_Ftmc
I wish
you all, wherever you may be whatever your persuasion, a good Shabbat, a day of
rest.
With
love from Jerusalem
Sheila
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