170714
14th
July 2017
Shabbat
Shalom dear friends. A week of incredible jubilation with the Maccabiah and of
confusion and accusations over Telephones and Submarines.
Sadly I
must start with the tragic news that three Arab terrorists came in through the
Lion's Gate searching for policemen to kill. They shot three and succeeded.
There are no Friday prayers on the Temple Mount today.
As you
know I try hard not to criticise our leaders – there are enough Israel haters
to do that – however - Prime Minister Netanyahu is yet again under the
microscope and I am not sure that his vast supply of Teflon will save him this
time. As I said many times I did not vote for him and wouldn't vote for him, my
reasons are many, but predominantly because he is too easily influenced by
those in his Cabinet and too fearful of making brave decisions alone. Our Prime
Minister has one aim – to remain in office.
I do
not fully understand the "telephone" or communications issue but I
know that people close to the PM in the communications field are deeply
involved and that Mr Netanyahu determinedly kept the Communications
Ministership close, refusing to relinquish it.
The
second charge is more serious. Channel 10 investigative journalist Raviv Drukker
felt something was not right about the submarine deal with Germany and investigated
the issue in depth - and many aspects came to light until, finally, Former
Defence Minister and Chief of Staff Moshe "Bogey" Ya'alon spoke out.
He said that at the time Israel intended to buy 5 submarines from Germany but
that the PM insisted upon 9, which Ya'alon felt was a waste of precious funds.
It appears that many people close to the PM could benefit from the sale of
additional submarines to Egypt which according to Yair Lapid, Leader of the
opposition party Yesh Atid and former Minister of Finance, is tantamount to
treason http://www.timesofisrael.com/lapid-says-submarine-scandal-is-worst-corruption-case-in-israeli-history/
………. I am not on the inside so would prefer to allow Moshe Ya'alon tell you
about the Middle East, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the submarine question in an
interview with Christiane Annapour http://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2017/07/11/israel-intv-amanpour-moshe-yaalon-indictment.cnn/video/playlists/amanpour/
I
believe that the Prime Minister has done many good things and am willing to
accept that, even though the Secret Service updates him on all issues, he
didn't know about the activities of his friends; however over the last period
he has allowed his political allies to take his policies to a level that has
torn both the Israeli society and our Diaspora relations to shreds. Even if he
is innocent of all suspicion, it is time to go.
I am
thrilled to say that former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is home with his
family and feeling infinitely better. The investigation and trial surrounding
his alleged corruption was orchestrated by those who feared his ability as a
Prime Minister and leader, almost all the charges were dropped, the much vaunted
"Holyland Affair" laid clearly at the feet of others yet he served 19
months in prison over a "slightly illegal" $15,000 campaign
contribution. Still felt by most Israelis to have been the best Prime Minister
for a long time he is now free and I am happy to say he sounds wonderful.
Friends from all over the world are sending him love – at least 90% of his
friends have stayed close and care deeply about this very special man and his
family.
Still
with Israeli politics, the Labour Party has chosen a new leader. Avi Gabbay,
born in Jerusalem and just 50 years old, beat fellow Moroccan Israeli Amir
Peretz in the final round. While little will change in the Knesset – Gabbay
is not an MK and has chosen Yitzchak Herzog to remain as Leader of the
Opposition – it shows a big change in voter choice. The Likud voter was traditionally
of North African origin and the Labour voter of Eastern European origin and the
percentages have changed – certainly on the very Ashkenaz Labour leadership. It
pleases me and shows a fascinating demographic change. Gabbay is not left wing,
like Izchak Herzog, and may well bring the Labour Party back to its natural
centrist position. http://www.timesofisrael.com/avi-gabbay-israels-macron-wants-to-lead-from-the-center/
Yesterday
I went to the Jerusalem Press Club to hear a fascinating and erudite
lecture by Amos Yadlin, former head of IDF Intelligence. He covered many
highly important points in a concise manner. I will try to do the same.
1.The
greatest threat to our security, and yours, today is through cyber attacks. Our
enemy is not stupid and they have the ability to create total havoc.
2. Amos
Yadlin is left wing but he made it very clear that the Obama
Administrations decision to disengage from the Middle East, betray Mubarak and
leave a vacuum of power which was gladly filled by Russia and Iran. President
Trump waded in at the Riyadh Conference and his "no
nonsense" policy and acted immediately in the chemical weapons incident in
Syria showing that the US is invested in keeping the peace. Through the new
policy the Palestinians are no longer the centre of attention – Iran, and as a
by-product Qatar, has taken centre stage.
3. An
American journalist asked why the PA/Israel situation cannot be resolved quickly
like the Americans did with the Marshall Plan. The answer was straightforward.
It was not the Americans but rather the Allies together with the Americans and
not all wars are fast and then out – Afghanistan is now 15 years; Iraq 8;
Vietnam was long. The USA destroyed both Mosul and Aleppo, with vast
"collateral damage" without looking back but Israel can't and won't
because the world has double standards.
4. With
the new Arab alliances Al Sisi of Egypt is pushing for Mohammed Dahlan,
Former Gazan security chief, Hebrew speaker, arch enemy of Hamas, to lead Gaza to
change.
5. The
most important question was "What keeps you awake at night"
and the response? "Missed opportunities. Now is the moment to step in and
change the paradigm of our region but we have no coherent leadership."
Two
leaders, military and secret service, who say it is time for political change.
I
want us all to have a good Shabbat so I intend changing the subject completely
and move to immense Jubilation and enormous camaraderie as the sportsmen and
women of the 20th Maccabiah come together in competition, excellence
and romance. Romance? What do you expect when 7,000 young Jews from 80
countries get together for sport ?
Last
week I wrote about the opening ceremony, this week I will talk about those honoured
by Maccabi World Union for exceptional service. Tal Brody, the sportsman
who came to a Maccabiah to compete and discovered his identity and his home and
decided to make Aliya. Tal is so much more than a sportsman; he is a Goodwill
Ambassador for Israel. All of the recipients are deserving, Tal; Igal Carmi;
King of Hasbara in Spanish Roby Croitorescu; Amnon Inbar
z"l; Daniel Jonas; Ricky Reff; Beny Speckman; Jordy
Weinstein and Ronald Bakalarz. When Ronald Bakalarz gave the address
in the name of the awardees he spoke of another recipient, our friend Guiora
Esrubilsky z"l. Guiora was Ronnies best friend and a very special
person. His wife Marta and sons received the honour for him but neither words
nor awards can express our loss, the loss to the family, friends, the Maccabi
movement and to the Jewish world.
We went
to the Award Ceremony with Michelle Gandel which made an impressive
evening into a wonderful one! Michelle is clever, fun and lovely and most of
all a Gandel which means she is a great friend and speaks her mind, my two
favourite virtues.
On Saturday
night, Sunday and Monday we had three wonderful little girls staying over – Amit,
Gili and Ori, the daughters of Zvi's son Leor and his wife Shiri. Since
their ages are diverse (11,8 and 5) we thought deeply on what to do with them
to ensure excitement and fun. Sunday we took them out for lunch and then to see
a Smurf movie and then in the evening, while Zvi went to sing with his choir,
the girls and I set off for Mamilla and the "Son et Lumiere" on the
walls of the Old City. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYvFgHwpVsk
They were entranced! After the show we went down into Mamilla for a big
ice-cream, waffle and home!!! The following morning I gathered my strength and
a long list of essential school stationery and we went down to Shouk Ramle
and Hannah and Yaacov. It was total chaos, teeming with shoppers and very noisy
but thanks to the help of Hannah and Yaacov, and the list, we succeeded in
finding everything on the list, right down to the last eraser!!!!
On
Tuesday I met with my adored friend Judith Hallside for lunch and farewell.
Judith is moving to Oxford after 37 years in Israel. Jerusalem will always be
in her heart and soul but her daughter Michal is drawing her to move. Judith, I
wish you all the luck in the world – joy and fulfillment but oh boy will I miss
you!
Yesterday
we went back to Mamilla to meet with Carlos and Evelyn Hausmann. What a
delight! We found it hard to go our separate ways because our conversations
could have gone on all day even if it was without the delicious iced coffee and
cheesecake
OK. I
must go soon because I have to do a bit of gardening on our veranda, see the
grandchildren in Givat Zeev while collecting my Challot from Rachel and
prepare supper for 12 people. Carlos loves hearing about the veranda and the
flowers, well Carlos, the kumquat and lemon trees are in blossom, sadly the
orange tree is too hot and won't produce fruit this year; the new hibiscus is
blooming, the pomegranate has babies; the geraniums are a blaze of bright colour
and the aromatic herbs are looking for a dish to use them to their full
advantage.
The
view is still hiding behind a heat haze – it really is HOT!
Zvi
found this wonderful video of Jewish/Russian Jazz – and I loved it!! https://www.youtube.com/embed/q990AlV0FV0
Lecha
Dodi is
the song/prayer we sing to welcome the bride of Shabbat. The tune is irrelevant
- the words are special. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWmcQpzUMHY
With the
divisive events of the last weeks perhaps we should end with this song. "
behold how
good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" Hinei
Ma Tov https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvn_prHzmQk
We wish
you a truly beautiful Shabbat, that you find the answers to your prayers and
that those answers fulfill your dreams
With
love from Jerusalem
Sheila
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