090204
4th February 2009.
The Kassams and Grads are still falling on Israel, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3665905,00.html although Hamas claims not from them. Extremism begets fanaticism and just as Fatah begat Hamas so Hamas begat factions who believe that Hamas "sold out" to the West by accepting a cease fire. The Egyptians have already set up CCTV scrutiny and guard posts on the Egyptian side of the Philadephi Corridor. Too little too late; but a step forward nonetheless.
Incidentally, now that are accused of war crimes with the media as judge and jury UNWRA ADMITS WE DIDN'T BOMB THEIR SCHOOL IN GAZA! http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090129.wgazaschool29/BNStory/International/home
NGO Monitor has labeled the current spate of suits against IDF Officers as Lawfare – Please read http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/the_ngo_front_in_the_gaza_war_lawfare_against_israel
By the way, remember Dr Mads Gilbert who was interviewed by all the major stations as an "independent observer" after his visit to Gaza? Well apparently he is an Al Qaeda supporter who believes that 9/11 was justified!
I received a deeply distressing video from Bernardo Romanowsky which I sent to my hasbara list which others, including Naomi Ragen forwarded. A San Francisco demonstration could be in pre-war Germany. http://zombietime.com/gaza_war_protest/ The dehumanisation of Jews is reaching 1933 levels and if YOU do not fight back it will get worse. How ironic that this demonstration was held in San Francisco when the PA and Hamas, like the Nazis, kill and torture homosexuals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_the_Palestinian_National_Authority
Surely it is time to lobby our politicians to ensure that the 1st Amendment be tempered by an incitement to hatred clause.
Gilad Schalit – Israel sees no victory in Operation Cast Lead without bringing Gilad home. Hamas has broken every one of the Geneva Convention laws on captives and has not allowed the Red Cross access, but they have finally admitted they know where he is and that they control his release and are willing to talk. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3666458,00.html
In Caracas, Venezuela the constant incitement by Chavez and his cohorts paid off when last Saturday night a group of thugs went into the Caracas Sefardi Synagogue daubed the walls with hate graffiti, pulled Sifrei Torah from the Ark and unrolled them on the floor. Chavez denounced the act, but since has publicly and loudly derided and berated the Jewish community, especially those who helped him gain power the responsibility lies with him. Chavez chose to lay down with an Iranian dog and now he has fleas. They use Goebbels propaganda methods to dehumanise Jews before killing them - in a much less sophisticated manner than the press, but it works. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304645657&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
However - on Monday Chavez announced a public holiday to celebrate his 10th year in power and ordinary Venezuelans took the opportunity to paint over the graffiti on the Synagogue and clean the façade. http://radardelosbarrios.blogspot.com/
The USA, Europe, the UN, the Arab States demand an end to Jewish settlement on Arab lands (of which there are vast tracts). Tiny Israel however is planning to build a new Arab town in the Galilee region of some 2,000 living units. This begs a question which no-one ever asks. Why are there demands that Jews remove all traces of their existence from Moslem lands when Jews accept Arabs as partners in our only dot on the globe? It is essential to know that in 1,300 years (from the 7th Century to the 20th Century) only one town was built by the few Moslems on this land, even during the Ottoman period. That town was Ramle, which was their capital city – not Jerusalem which they considered too awkward to reach and too much of a backwater. All the towns and cities in Israel, including a large number of Arab towns, were built over the last 60-70 years. Compare Israel's and Moslem colonial Wars to see who the "settlers" really are. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_in_the_Muslim_world
Tu b'Shvat, New Year for Trees falls on Sunday 8th February. http://www.aish.com/tubshvat/tubshvatinterests/Ecology_A_Jewish_Perspective.asp Traditionally all schoolchildren, indeed all of us, plant a new tree, ensuring our future climate and soil, but we have a problem – we do not have enough water to sustain young trees. The glorious weather continues and rain is scarce. We are in the middle of a water catastrophe. Here are some lovely tree photos of trees with history in Israel.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/124978
The other day Zvi and I watched a report of wealthy, educated New Yorkers who plunder supermarket waste bins and find perfectly good food which has reached its sell-by date; thrown away, yet perfectly edible. We both commented that here in Israel that would never happen. There is an outstanding organization called Table to Table which collects all such food, including untainted excess food from banqueting halls and hotels, which they distribute to the needy. This wonderful organization was founded by our friend Julie Kotchitsky and it has gone from strength to strength. Their work is essential, especially in the current economic climate. http://purim.tabletotable.org.il/
After the Davos walk-out of Turkish PM Erdogan and the resulting anti-Semitic events in Turkey, that country lost its huge Israeli tourism. The Turks cannot give away their hotel rooms and almost all flights are cancelled. Why on earth should they show such anger at their closest ally in this region? Hear President Peres eloquent, honest and powerful speech which begins at minute 39 http://jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/01/peres_drops_an_eloquence_bomb.php
Life goes on in a round of events as we try to avoid the Political Party Broadcasts which last a minimum of half an hour, one after another. The problem is that as they speak one must read between the lines and try to remember their history and veracity! Admittedly the idea of women as Prime Minister, President of the Supreme Court and Speaker of the Knesset appeals to me! Explanations and list of parties http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/History/Modern+History/Historic+Events/Elections_in_Israel_February_2009.htm
A month ago Jerusalem lost one of its oldest (89) and best known "characters", Danny Angel of Angel's Bakery (pronounced Ann-jels, not like cherub) Danny was the eighth generation of his pure-blooded Sefardi family (Samech tet) who believed that "wealth is not a dirty word" and could be seen all over Jerusalem drinking coffee with his patrons. When asked after his health his response was always "Gan Eden" the Garden of Eden, even throughout his long fight with cancer. Danny built what was a small local bakery into the "bread of Israel". When he met dignitaries he handed them his business card which declared him "the head of the Mafiah" (bakery in Hebrew is Ma'afiah)! Jerusalem misses Danny Angel and although Zvi's parliament will continue to meet each Friday morning at Angel's in the petrol station – sadly Danny won't pop in to chat and drink café hafuch. May his soul rest in peace. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtStEngPE.jhtml?itemNo=1054591&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5&title=%27Jerusalem%27s%20town%20baker%20%27&dyn_server=172.20.5.5
Shabbat Shalom. During the Amidah when you pray for dew, ask for rain, rain, rain!
With much love from beautiful, blossoming Jerusalem,
Sheila
Showing posts with label Israel's right of self-defence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israel's right of self-defence. Show all posts
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Friday, 30 January 2009
Shabbat Shalom from Sheila
090130
30th January 2009.
Shabbat Shalom
Today I am not starting with niceties. I am sick and tired of the entire hypocritical world deciding whether Israel has the right to respond to eight years of rockets fired relentlessly from Gaza and then whether our response was "responsible". There is not one single country in the world which would not have beaten the **** out of any neighbour which acted with such unqualified aggression and openly declared its only objective as your demise and your country's annihilation!
Spain, of all countries, is about to try us for war crimes! Spain, which sided with Hitler during World War 2 while declaring herself neutral and which has constantly treated its Basques with a cruelly hard hand and sponsored death squads. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-785601.html The background is ably explained by Prof. Gerald Steinberg in today's Jerusalem Post www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233050212794&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull
Many newspapers published that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan stormed off the stage in disgust at President Peres during the Davos World Economic Conference having been told he could not speak. The truth is that Prime Minister Erdogan spoke at length against Israel's invasion of Gaza and the subsequent suffering and then President Peres spoke eloquently and emotionally about Israel's right to self defence and care in pinpointing Hamas targets. President Peres received a rousing round of applause at which the Turkish PM demanded a right of response which was refused, thus causing his angry departure. Erdogan apologized for his behaviour yet when he got back to Istanbul he was greeted as a hero for his "victory".
Our current party political broadcasts are somewhat aggressive toward the opposition, not my favourite manner of politicking. While very aware that politicians are not all sweetness and light, we do not kill the opposition parties by tying their hands and feet and throwing them off a 40 foot wall as in a video I received this morning from Gaza of Hamas dealing with its opposition - Fatah. I am not passing on the link unless you insist because it is so odious that it made me weep at man's inhumanity to man. Any comparison between the cruelty inflicted by Hamas upon the people of Gaza and the sad outcome of defensive warfare is beyond the pale.
What was not reported is that 48 Palestinian orphans from Gaza were invited to Israel by the Kibbutz movement, to Arabic speaking homes, in the hope of giving them respite from Hamas but Hamas prevented their exit from Gaza for fear that these children may tell the truth.
What was not reported is that Dr Elazzadin Abu El Aish, who tragically lost 3 of his daughters "on Air" during Operation Cast Lead, went back to Gaza to mourn his daughters and then brought his remaining children to Israel where friends and good people help him find a home so that he can continue his work as a gynaecologist and research into infertility in Israel. He did not choose to stay in Gaza.
Many American friends express deep concern for our safety in Israel and for the lack of control of Islamic Fundamentalism in the UK and Europe. Steve Emerson tried to tell you what was happening in the USA during the '90's in "Jihad in America" but was labeled a racist scaremonger – until 9/11 of course; now Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, a devout Moslem, a physician who served in the US army, formerly physician to the Supreme Court has produced a video called "The Third Jihad". This is the 30 minute abridged version of a 90 minute video. It is difficult to watch but all Americans; indeed all of us should watch it. http://europenews.dk/en/node/15041
I apologise for venting my anger on you, but as always I promise to end with something sweet to leave a good taste in your mouth.
Zvi and I knew of Jay Rawlings, broadcaster and excellent human being, but we didn't know it all, not by any means. Jay and his wife Meridel left good careers and came to Israel from Canada, beautiful Vancouver Island, and decided to "grow" their four sons here. The boys went to local schools and to the IDF; they speak Hebrew and are wonderful emissaries on behalf of Israel, and help their parents in their work to promote a true vision of Israel to the Christian community worldwide. http://www.jerusalemvistas.com/ and http://www.israelvision.tv/ Yesterday we went to their home for an interview. Zvi spoke of his amazing history and I spoke of how I got started on my Shabbat Shalom project, and we both spoke of the "power of one". What we have done is not so exceptional, and I include Jay and Meridel in the "we". All we do is take up the challenge that presents itself, whether as a Christian, Jew or Moslem. We don't make history we record it; we don't re-create situations - we tell it as it is, even if sometimes it is hard to see the other point of view; we do not wish harm to anyone, we just yearn for the day when they will not wish us harm.
In other words, the only weapons one needs in this particular war are a pen, a voice, a strong constitution and a kind heart. Those who are angry and abusive, whatever the situation, have lost the war of words. When you write letters, be it to the media or the legislature, use firm, positive words, not obnoxious ones. We don't have to prove ourselves right, we do not need to excuse our behaviour; we do not need to react with anger when our point of view is ignored, we simply need to express it quietly over and over again.
Today is glorious. The weather is crisp, cool and sadly still rainless. The shekdiot (almond blossom) are now in full blossom on the sides of road number one which winds its hilly way up to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is just beginning to slow down, to lead up to Erev Shabbat (Sabbath eve) and the national grid is at its peak as ovens fill up with food which represents the temporary nationality of the owner, hamin and cholent; kugel, jachnun and quiche; chicken paprika or babaganoush and a myriad of vegetables stuffed with lamb, beef and rice in spicy sauces. Imagine all those amazing aromas melding into a truly wonderful redolent cloud over the Golden City!
Did you notice that I said their temporary nationality? We all came from here, all Jews, we spread and formed the Diaspora but our origin before the dispersion was here. We may choose to remain in our adopted homeland, as long as they will let us, but I came home.
Shabbat Shalom from vibrant, warm, multiracial, multicultural Jerusalem, centre of our world.
With love,
Sheila
30th January 2009.
Shabbat Shalom
Today I am not starting with niceties. I am sick and tired of the entire hypocritical world deciding whether Israel has the right to respond to eight years of rockets fired relentlessly from Gaza and then whether our response was "responsible". There is not one single country in the world which would not have beaten the **** out of any neighbour which acted with such unqualified aggression and openly declared its only objective as your demise and your country's annihilation!
Spain, of all countries, is about to try us for war crimes! Spain, which sided with Hitler during World War 2 while declaring herself neutral and which has constantly treated its Basques with a cruelly hard hand and sponsored death squads. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-785601.html The background is ably explained by Prof. Gerald Steinberg in today's Jerusalem Post www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233050212794&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull
Many newspapers published that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan stormed off the stage in disgust at President Peres during the Davos World Economic Conference having been told he could not speak. The truth is that Prime Minister Erdogan spoke at length against Israel's invasion of Gaza and the subsequent suffering and then President Peres spoke eloquently and emotionally about Israel's right to self defence and care in pinpointing Hamas targets. President Peres received a rousing round of applause at which the Turkish PM demanded a right of response which was refused, thus causing his angry departure. Erdogan apologized for his behaviour yet when he got back to Istanbul he was greeted as a hero for his "victory".
Our current party political broadcasts are somewhat aggressive toward the opposition, not my favourite manner of politicking. While very aware that politicians are not all sweetness and light, we do not kill the opposition parties by tying their hands and feet and throwing them off a 40 foot wall as in a video I received this morning from Gaza of Hamas dealing with its opposition - Fatah. I am not passing on the link unless you insist because it is so odious that it made me weep at man's inhumanity to man. Any comparison between the cruelty inflicted by Hamas upon the people of Gaza and the sad outcome of defensive warfare is beyond the pale.
What was not reported is that 48 Palestinian orphans from Gaza were invited to Israel by the Kibbutz movement, to Arabic speaking homes, in the hope of giving them respite from Hamas but Hamas prevented their exit from Gaza for fear that these children may tell the truth.
What was not reported is that Dr Elazzadin Abu El Aish, who tragically lost 3 of his daughters "on Air" during Operation Cast Lead, went back to Gaza to mourn his daughters and then brought his remaining children to Israel where friends and good people help him find a home so that he can continue his work as a gynaecologist and research into infertility in Israel. He did not choose to stay in Gaza.
Many American friends express deep concern for our safety in Israel and for the lack of control of Islamic Fundamentalism in the UK and Europe. Steve Emerson tried to tell you what was happening in the USA during the '90's in "Jihad in America" but was labeled a racist scaremonger – until 9/11 of course; now Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, a devout Moslem, a physician who served in the US army, formerly physician to the Supreme Court has produced a video called "The Third Jihad". This is the 30 minute abridged version of a 90 minute video. It is difficult to watch but all Americans; indeed all of us should watch it. http://europenews.dk/en/node/15041
I apologise for venting my anger on you, but as always I promise to end with something sweet to leave a good taste in your mouth.
Zvi and I knew of Jay Rawlings, broadcaster and excellent human being, but we didn't know it all, not by any means. Jay and his wife Meridel left good careers and came to Israel from Canada, beautiful Vancouver Island, and decided to "grow" their four sons here. The boys went to local schools and to the IDF; they speak Hebrew and are wonderful emissaries on behalf of Israel, and help their parents in their work to promote a true vision of Israel to the Christian community worldwide. http://www.jerusalemvistas.com/ and http://www.israelvision.tv/ Yesterday we went to their home for an interview. Zvi spoke of his amazing history and I spoke of how I got started on my Shabbat Shalom project, and we both spoke of the "power of one". What we have done is not so exceptional, and I include Jay and Meridel in the "we". All we do is take up the challenge that presents itself, whether as a Christian, Jew or Moslem. We don't make history we record it; we don't re-create situations - we tell it as it is, even if sometimes it is hard to see the other point of view; we do not wish harm to anyone, we just yearn for the day when they will not wish us harm.
In other words, the only weapons one needs in this particular war are a pen, a voice, a strong constitution and a kind heart. Those who are angry and abusive, whatever the situation, have lost the war of words. When you write letters, be it to the media or the legislature, use firm, positive words, not obnoxious ones. We don't have to prove ourselves right, we do not need to excuse our behaviour; we do not need to react with anger when our point of view is ignored, we simply need to express it quietly over and over again.
Today is glorious. The weather is crisp, cool and sadly still rainless. The shekdiot (almond blossom) are now in full blossom on the sides of road number one which winds its hilly way up to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is just beginning to slow down, to lead up to Erev Shabbat (Sabbath eve) and the national grid is at its peak as ovens fill up with food which represents the temporary nationality of the owner, hamin and cholent; kugel, jachnun and quiche; chicken paprika or babaganoush and a myriad of vegetables stuffed with lamb, beef and rice in spicy sauces. Imagine all those amazing aromas melding into a truly wonderful redolent cloud over the Golden City!
Did you notice that I said their temporary nationality? We all came from here, all Jews, we spread and formed the Diaspora but our origin before the dispersion was here. We may choose to remain in our adopted homeland, as long as they will let us, but I came home.
Shabbat Shalom from vibrant, warm, multiracial, multicultural Jerusalem, centre of our world.
With love,
Sheila
Monday, 12 January 2009
090101 Gaza Update
1st January 2009
New Years Day
Dearest Friends,
I am leaving New York today, returning home having achieved our objectives of seeing our wonderful little grandson Joshua, our children Daniel and Karen and all the family, our friends and shopping far too much!!!!
This has been a difficult trip, our concern for what is happening at home paramount. I suddenly got to see what you see, Anderson Coopers insinuated clever accusations against Israel "Poverty stricken Gaza is hit once again and many civilian casualties", similar and worse from many of the ABC and NBC commentators, for commentators they are not journalists or reporters, and Jon Snow of ITN described Israel as "lucky to have Sderot to engender sympathy". Now I feel sorry for you that you never, or rarely hear the truth - no wonder you look forward to my letters!!! Yes, I hear you say that truth is never objective, everybody tells and hears the truth through filters, but even when analysed throught he gimlet eye of a highly trained legal mind, the truth of this war, and war it is, is clear. Please read this excerpt from a brilliant article by Harvard law Professor Alan Dershowitz Israel's Actions Are Lawful and Commendable
The firing of rockets at civilians from densely populated civilian areas is the newest tactic in the war between terrorists who love death and democracies that love life. The terrorists have learned how to exploit the morality of democracies against those who do not want to kill civilians, even enemy civilians. In one recent incident, Israeli intelligence learned that a particular house was being used to manufacture and store rockets. It was a clear military target since their rockets were being fired at Israeli civilians. But the house was also being lived in by a family. So the Israeli military phoned the house, informed the owner that it was a military target, and gave him thirty minutes to leave with his family before the house was attacked. The owner called Hamas, which immediately sent dozens of mothers carrying babies to stand on the roof of the house. Hamas knew that Israel would never fire at a home with civilians in it. They also knew that if, by some fluke, the Israeli authorities did not learn that there were civilians in the house, and fired on it, Hamas would win a public relations victory by displaying the dead civilians to the media. In this case, Israel did learn of the civilians and withheld its fire. The rockets that were spared destruction by the human shields were then used against Israeli civilians.
Most of the Arab States agree with Israels actions, Hamas is a thorn in the side of all except Iran, Syria and our old friend Muammar Khadaffi. Most of the Arab States are ready to move on toward a better future, admittedly and ambivalently funding many of these organisations.
Israel has the right to defend herself, United nations Charter 51 clearly states that every nation has the right to defend itself against armed attacks; the Arabs, however, have found a loophole - proportionality. By screaming that Israel's response is disporportionate they can claim her response to their aggression as illegal and a more than willing United nations complies with their wishes = after all, there are some 50+ Arab States and only one of us!!!!! That was their cry in Lebanon 2, and it is their cry now, we cannot allow them to get away with it. Next question is why do the majority of the media accept their cries, why do the majority of journalists turn things around (in Hebrew we say Hafuch al Hafuch) and make Israel the big bad wolf? In truth, it may well be because we let them! Mark Regev, Media Spokesperson and Advisor to the Prime Minister, is a clever and able man. Mark manages to turn even the most aggressive of foreign journalists questions to Israels favour, even if his responses never reach your eyes......... but YOU buy the papers and watch the reports!!! How many letters to the editor have you written lately? How many times have YOU called the television news station to complain? For those of you who advertise in both the press and the media - have you ever threatened to remove your advertisements because of bias? I amnot talking about honest reporting of events where Israel has made a mistake - I am talking of the clear and present bias in all our media. I want us all to work to stop the overt and subliminal bias which spurts forth its poison from our television and newsprint thus changing perception of our wonderful Israel and creating a far greater threat than any Arab terrorist.
I want to mention two special journalists who keep my hopes and mood up and realistic - Bob Parks in the USA and John Vause currently in China. These are good men who are prepared to stand out and tell the truth.
Make a New Year's resolution to be pro-active in preventing the greatest pandemic disease of all time - disinformation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMjSoUEysQ4
http://www.honestreporting.com/a/breaking_point.asp
and to see the pinpoint actions of the IDF http://www.youtube.com/user/idfnadesk
Remember that at this moment there is a terrifying comparative between the aims of the insane megalomanic leader planning to kill the Jews from his bunker and another megalomanic leader with the same aims who sat in his bunker 63 years ago. The difference is in the methodology and the religious imperative, yet the final aim is the same - just replace Aryan with Moslem.
There is always a strange dichotomy, almost schitzophrenic manner to Israelis during wartime - we feel the need to be normal! We go out to parties, we listen to concerts and we laugh and live life even when under enormous tension. I was thrilled to read that communities in the South of Israel - those in the line of fire - threw big Sylvester parties!!!! http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3648733,00.html
Sunday morning - no matter what - will find me in Mahane Yehuda Market - hopefully with my beautiful Arlene and Rachie - somehow it feels much more me than Century 21 or ToysRus!!!! I cannot wait to see our grandchildren and watch their faces as we unload our suitcases with the gifts we brought from "Der Goldeneh Medina" all of which could have been bought in the Jerusalem mall!!! I cannot wait to see my view, my wonderful view of Jerusalem - as I return to gaze each morning, noon and night from my veranda over the most glorious city in the world and dream of the day I can tell you that this precious city is not under threat.
Wishing you a wonderful year filled with quiet voices and generous friends, close family and kind thoughts. Maybe this will be the year that, as Golda said "They will learn to love their children more than they hate us"
With love
Sheila
New Years Day
Dearest Friends,
I am leaving New York today, returning home having achieved our objectives of seeing our wonderful little grandson Joshua, our children Daniel and Karen and all the family, our friends and shopping far too much!!!!
This has been a difficult trip, our concern for what is happening at home paramount. I suddenly got to see what you see, Anderson Coopers insinuated clever accusations against Israel "Poverty stricken Gaza is hit once again and many civilian casualties", similar and worse from many of the ABC and NBC commentators, for commentators they are not journalists or reporters, and Jon Snow of ITN described Israel as "lucky to have Sderot to engender sympathy". Now I feel sorry for you that you never, or rarely hear the truth - no wonder you look forward to my letters!!! Yes, I hear you say that truth is never objective, everybody tells and hears the truth through filters, but even when analysed throught he gimlet eye of a highly trained legal mind, the truth of this war, and war it is, is clear. Please read this excerpt from a brilliant article by Harvard law Professor Alan Dershowitz Israel's Actions Are Lawful and Commendable
The firing of rockets at civilians from densely populated civilian areas is the newest tactic in the war between terrorists who love death and democracies that love life. The terrorists have learned how to exploit the morality of democracies against those who do not want to kill civilians, even enemy civilians. In one recent incident, Israeli intelligence learned that a particular house was being used to manufacture and store rockets. It was a clear military target since their rockets were being fired at Israeli civilians. But the house was also being lived in by a family. So the Israeli military phoned the house, informed the owner that it was a military target, and gave him thirty minutes to leave with his family before the house was attacked. The owner called Hamas, which immediately sent dozens of mothers carrying babies to stand on the roof of the house. Hamas knew that Israel would never fire at a home with civilians in it. They also knew that if, by some fluke, the Israeli authorities did not learn that there were civilians in the house, and fired on it, Hamas would win a public relations victory by displaying the dead civilians to the media. In this case, Israel did learn of the civilians and withheld its fire. The rockets that were spared destruction by the human shields were then used against Israeli civilians.
Most of the Arab States agree with Israels actions, Hamas is a thorn in the side of all except Iran, Syria and our old friend Muammar Khadaffi. Most of the Arab States are ready to move on toward a better future, admittedly and ambivalently funding many of these organisations.
Israel has the right to defend herself, United nations Charter 51 clearly states that every nation has the right to defend itself against armed attacks; the Arabs, however, have found a loophole - proportionality. By screaming that Israel's response is disporportionate they can claim her response to their aggression as illegal and a more than willing United nations complies with their wishes = after all, there are some 50+ Arab States and only one of us!!!!! That was their cry in Lebanon 2, and it is their cry now, we cannot allow them to get away with it. Next question is why do the majority of the media accept their cries, why do the majority of journalists turn things around (in Hebrew we say Hafuch al Hafuch) and make Israel the big bad wolf? In truth, it may well be because we let them! Mark Regev, Media Spokesperson and Advisor to the Prime Minister, is a clever and able man. Mark manages to turn even the most aggressive of foreign journalists questions to Israels favour, even if his responses never reach your eyes......... but YOU buy the papers and watch the reports!!! How many letters to the editor have you written lately? How many times have YOU called the television news station to complain? For those of you who advertise in both the press and the media - have you ever threatened to remove your advertisements because of bias? I amnot talking about honest reporting of events where Israel has made a mistake - I am talking of the clear and present bias in all our media. I want us all to work to stop the overt and subliminal bias which spurts forth its poison from our television and newsprint thus changing perception of our wonderful Israel and creating a far greater threat than any Arab terrorist.
I want to mention two special journalists who keep my hopes and mood up and realistic - Bob Parks in the USA and John Vause currently in China. These are good men who are prepared to stand out and tell the truth.
Make a New Year's resolution to be pro-active in preventing the greatest pandemic disease of all time - disinformation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMjSoUEysQ4
http://www.honestreporting.com/a/breaking_point.asp
and to see the pinpoint actions of the IDF http://www.youtube.com/user/idfnadesk
Remember that at this moment there is a terrifying comparative between the aims of the insane megalomanic leader planning to kill the Jews from his bunker and another megalomanic leader with the same aims who sat in his bunker 63 years ago. The difference is in the methodology and the religious imperative, yet the final aim is the same - just replace Aryan with Moslem.
There is always a strange dichotomy, almost schitzophrenic manner to Israelis during wartime - we feel the need to be normal! We go out to parties, we listen to concerts and we laugh and live life even when under enormous tension. I was thrilled to read that communities in the South of Israel - those in the line of fire - threw big Sylvester parties!!!! http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3648733,00.html
Sunday morning - no matter what - will find me in Mahane Yehuda Market - hopefully with my beautiful Arlene and Rachie - somehow it feels much more me than Century 21 or ToysRus!!!! I cannot wait to see our grandchildren and watch their faces as we unload our suitcases with the gifts we brought from "Der Goldeneh Medina" all of which could have been bought in the Jerusalem mall!!! I cannot wait to see my view, my wonderful view of Jerusalem - as I return to gaze each morning, noon and night from my veranda over the most glorious city in the world and dream of the day I can tell you that this precious city is not under threat.
Wishing you a wonderful year filled with quiet voices and generous friends, close family and kind thoughts. Maybe this will be the year that, as Golda said "They will learn to love their children more than they hate us"
With love
Sheila
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)