091119
19th November 2009.
Shabbat Shalom
This week I was angry. Not the anger that one feels toward those whose hatred is overt but rather the anger one feels toward those who claim undying friendship yet fail to deal an even hand.
Let me describe the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Gilo for you. White stepped buildings typical of Jerusalem's hillsides roll down toward the Israeli Arab neighborhood of Beit Safafa; they have an incomparable view over Jerusalem to the Old City. The railway line which formed the pre-67 border with Jordan is just down in the valley and one sees clearly where the old border cut Beit Safafa in half, splitting families who are now united under the Jerusalem Municipality and consider themselves Israeli.
Gilo is home to nearly 50,000 people, good regular folk who just want to go about their lives. There are medical clinics, drug stores, local corner shops and stores, pizza parlours and a good shopping mall; there are parks and schools, old people's homes and normal, normal life. These are not extremists they are people just like you and me and the popular Jerusalem neighborhood needs more homes. To call a press conference stating that building in Gilo is the only stumbling block to peace is an insult to our intelligence and treachery in the first degree. The greatest stumbling block to peace is the fact that our neighbours are sworn to kill us! The greatest stumbling block to peace is that we are told to stop building on disputed (formerly Jordanian) totally empty land while the Palestinians build at a phenomenal rate with impunity.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat stated: "Israeli law does not discriminate between Jews, Muslims, and Christians or between eastern and western Jerusalem. The demand to halt construction by religion is not legal in the United States or in any other free place in the world. I do not presume that any government would demand to freeze construction in the United States based on race, religion or gender and the attempt to demand it from Jerusalem is a double standard and inconceivable."
So why was I so angry? Why was this day different from all other days? Because not one TV report mentioned the fact that simultaneously the Jerusalem Municipality is building housing in Arab neighborhoods too! The announcement came over the wires exactly as the others but only IMRA chose to pick it up. http://imra.org.il/story.php3?id=46452
All the major US Emissaries from Dennis Ross to Martin Indyk leave their positions and tell of the unyielding stance of the Palestinians yet, while "on duty" they refuse to speak up. No-one refers to the fact that the Two State Solution was executed in 1948!!!
Incidentally, Gilo is part of a contiguous city - part of Jerusalem - all the photos you saw which indicate that it is a settlement on the top of a hill were taken from the formerly Christian Palestinian village of Beit Jalla or the formerly Christian town of Bethlehem. You can see the protective wall which was built when the Palestinians were shooting at Gilo.
The Palestinian Authority intended unilaterally declaring statehood, or not - depending upon with whom one speaks. Terrific! It would cut our taxes by at least 10%; mean that we wouldn't have to give free water, gas, electricity and hundreds of trucks of aid each week if the Palestinian Authority became an independent state. Unfortunately I think they did their sums and decided that they prefer milking us all dry instead. Vast quantities of money have been sunk into the PA, money which should have relieved hunger in Africa and Asia, but has been squandered on the corrupt Palestinian leaders by countries who want to keep everyone's attention on this tiny area so that no-one will notice their own mismanagement at home. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2002/6/International%20Financial%20Aid%20to%20the%20Palestinian%20Aut . I know where my tax money goes since it is all published http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2009/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009.htm but I am not sure that you do.
This week Zvi gave one of his entertaining and informative speeches before the marvelous and highly appreciative Buffalo Mission in the King David Hotel. The hotel was buzzing with the Saban Forum attended by President Clinton, Governor Schwarzenegger, Senators Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham. They met with PM Netanyahu and many other Israelis but in essence they talked, travelled to Ramallah came back to the finery of the King David and went home. Good intentions have done nothing to bring peace but the attendees enjoyed Israeli hospitality at its finest.
One of the finer aspects of Israeli generosity to the PA is shown in medicine. Whether through the free passage of Palestinian patients to Israeli hospitals for treatment or the training of PA medical professionals at Haifa's Rambam Hospital this week for a seminar on the treatment of cancer http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1258489190455&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter
Israel's scientists are rated number four in the world in scientific activity and publications. Not bad for a little country eh? http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1128738.html
Just in case you had any doubts as to Israel's contribution to our world "Tikkun Olam" click on the link and watch this outstanding video and then send it to everyone you know. I believe it was inspired by the brilliant letter by Barry Shaw http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=875 after attempts to boycott Israel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbIQto3KPUM&eurl
In Judaism we are told that we must leave the world a better place than that we found. This Israeli team has built a hospital in Equatorial New Guinea where they live with the nationals and serve them, teaching and nursing. This Youtube video shows you the side of Israel and the Israelis we want the world to know - the real one. Sorry it is in Spanish and Hebrew but the message is clear without words. http://www.youtube.com/v/JkI537wmYY0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1
Incidentally the Governors of Trondheim University in Norway halted another attempted boycott. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1127734.html
This amazing video, Mexican entry to the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is required viewing for Mr Ahmedinejad, David Irving, Jeremiah Wright and Mahmoud Abbas whose doctoral thesis was on the premise of Holocaust revisionism, indeed anyone heartless enough to claim there was no Holocaust. http://www.youtube.com/user/SFJewishFilmFestival#p/a
It rained again this week and my veranda is rewarding the Heavens with a sudden surge of growth and colour. The Jacaranda tree is losing its leaves, gathering strength to produce its long lavender flowers next spring; the vivid purple bougainvillea flowers are so bright from the wash and dry cycle that one needs sunglasses to look at them; the fuchsia, relieved that the scorching sun of summer has finally gone is greening up and producing flowers in abundance; the oranges are rounder, bigger and plumper slowly reaching their luscious edible state as are the kumquats; the "hadass" (box hedging) are green and fragrant, the herbs flourishing and best of all the pomegranates are bursting with pride at their sheer fecundity offering succour to the tiny "tsufit", an iridescent black native bird rather like a humming bird in shape and habit, as their fruits explode to reveal the bright, red juicy treasure within. Imagine all of this with the beauty of Jerusalem in the background. How lucky are we?
I wish you and yours a wonderful weekend, a fine Shabbat, a beautiful Sabbath day of peace and warmth, love and kindness.
With love from a spectacularly beautiful Jerusalem, white stones gleaming and glistening after the cleansing rain.
Sheila
Showing posts with label humanitarian aid from Israel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label humanitarian aid from Israel. Show all posts
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Shabbat Shalom from Sheila
091119
19th November 2009.
Shabbat Shalom
This week I was angry. Not the anger that one feels toward those whose hatred is overt but rather the anger one feels toward those who claim undying friendship yet fail to deal an even hand.
Let me describe the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Gilo for you. White stepped buildings typical of Jerusalem's hillsides roll down toward the Israeli Arab neighborhood of Beit Safafa; they have an incomparable view over Jerusalem to the Old City. The railway line which formed the pre-67 border with Jordan is just down in the valley and one sees clearly where the old border cut Beit Safafa in half, splitting families who are now united under the Jerusalem Municipality and consider themselves Israeli.
Gilo is home to nearly 50,000 people, good regular folk who just want to go about their lives. There are medical clinics, drug stores, local corner shops and stores, pizza parlours and a good shopping mall; there are parks and schools, old people's homes and normal, normal life. These are not extremists they are people just like you and me and the popular Jerusalem neighborhood needs more homes. To call a press conference stating that building in Gilo is the only stumbling block to peace is an insult to our intelligence and treachery in the first degree. The greatest stumbling block to peace is the fact that our neighbours are sworn to kill us! The greatest stumbling block to peace is that we are told to stop building on disputed (formerly Jordanian) totally empty land while the Palestinians build at a phenomenal rate with impunity.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat stated: "Israeli law does not discriminate between Jews, Muslims, and Christians or between eastern and western Jerusalem. The demand to halt construction by religion is not legal in the United States or in any other free place in the world. I do not presume that any government would demand to freeze construction in the United States based on race, religion or gender and the attempt to demand it from Jerusalem is a double standard and inconceivable."
So why was I so angry? Why was this day different from all other days? Because not one TV report mentioned the fact that simultaneously the Jerusalem Municipality is building housing in Arab neighborhoods too! The announcement came over the wires exactly as the others but only IMRA chose to pick it up. http://imra.org.il/story.php3?id=46452
All the major US Emissaries from Dennis Ross to Martin Indyk leave their positions and tell of the unyielding stance of the Palestinians yet, while "on duty" they refuse to speak up. No-one refers to the fact that the Two State Solution was executed in 1948!!!
Incidentally, Gilo is part of a contiguous city - part of Jerusalem - all the photos you saw which indicate that it is a settlement on the top of a hill were taken from the formerly Christian Palestinian village of Beit Jalla or the formerly Christian town of Bethlehem. You can see the protective wall which was built when the Palestinians were shooting at Gilo.
The Palestinian Authority intended unilaterally declaring statehood, or not - depending upon with whom one speaks. Terrific! It would cut our taxes by at least 10%; mean that we wouldn't have to give free water, gas, electricity and hundreds of trucks of aid each week if the Palestinian Authority became an independent state. Unfortunately I think they did their sums and decided that they prefer milking us all dry instead. Vast quantities of money have been sunk into the PA, money which should have relieved hunger in Africa and Asia, but has been squandered on the corrupt Palestinian leaders by countries who want to keep everyone's attention on this tiny area so that no-one will notice their own mismanagement at home. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2002/6/International%20Financial%20Aid%20to%20the%20Palestinian%20Aut . I know where my tax money goes since it is all published http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2009/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009.htm but I am not sure that you do.
This week Zvi gave one of his entertaining and informative speeches before the marvelous and highly appreciative Buffalo Mission in the King David Hotel. The hotel was buzzing with the Saban Forum attended by President Clinton, Governor Schwarzenegger, Senators Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham. They met with PM Netanyahu and many other Israelis but in essence they talked, travelled to Ramallah came back to the finery of the King David and went home. Good intentions have done nothing to bring peace but the attendees enjoyed Israeli hospitality at its finest.
One of the finer aspects of Israeli generosity to the PA is shown in medicine. Whether through the free passage of Palestinian patients to Israeli hospitals for treatment or the training of PA medical professionals at Haifa's Rambam Hospital this week for a seminar on the treatment of cancer http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1258489190455&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter
Israel's scientists are rated number four in the world in scientific activity and publications. Not bad for a little country eh? http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1128738.html
Just in case you had any doubts as to Israel's contribution to our world "Tikkun Olam" click on the link and watch this outstanding video and then send it to everyone you know. I believe it was inspired by the brilliant letter by Barry Shaw http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=875 after attempts to boycott Israel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbIQto3KPUM&eurl
In Judaism we are told that we must leave the world a better place than that we found. This Israeli team has built a hospital in Equatorial New Guinea where they live with the nationals and serve them, teaching and nursing. This Youtube video shows you the side of Israel and the Israelis we want the world to know - the real one. Sorry it is in Spanish and Hebrew but the message is clear without words. http://www.youtube.com/v/JkI537wmYY0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1
Incidentally the Governors of Trondheim University in Norway halted another attempted boycott. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1127734.html
This amazing video, Mexican entry to the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is required viewing for Mr Ahmedinejad, David Irving, Jeremiah Wright and Mahmoud Abbas whose doctoral thesis was on the premise of Holocaust revisionism, indeed anyone heartless enough to claim there was no Holocaust. http://www.youtube.com/user/SFJewishFilmFestival#p/a
It rained again this week and my veranda is rewarding the Heavens with a sudden surge of growth and colour. The Jacaranda tree is losing its leaves, gathering strength to produce its long lavender flowers next spring; the vivid purple bougainvillea flowers are so bright from the wash and dry cycle that one needs sunglasses to look at them; the fuchsia, relieved that the scorching sun of summer has finally gone is greening up and producing flowers in abundance; the oranges are rounder, bigger and plumper slowly reaching their luscious edible state as are the kumquats; the "hadass" (box hedging) are green and fragrant, the herbs flourishing and best of all the pomegranates are bursting with pride at their sheer fecundity offering succour to the tiny "tsufit", an iridescent black native bird rather like a humming bird in shape and habit, as their fruits explode to reveal the bright, red juicy treasure within. Imagine all of this with the beauty of Jerusalem in the background. How lucky are we?
I wish you and yours a wonderful weekend, a fine Shabbat, a beautiful Sabbath day of peace and warmth, love and kindness.
With love from a spectacularly beautiful Jerusalem, white stones gleaming and glistening after the cleansing rain.
Sheila
19th November 2009.
Shabbat Shalom
This week I was angry. Not the anger that one feels toward those whose hatred is overt but rather the anger one feels toward those who claim undying friendship yet fail to deal an even hand.
Let me describe the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Gilo for you. White stepped buildings typical of Jerusalem's hillsides roll down toward the Israeli Arab neighborhood of Beit Safafa; they have an incomparable view over Jerusalem to the Old City. The railway line which formed the pre-67 border with Jordan is just down in the valley and one sees clearly where the old border cut Beit Safafa in half, splitting families who are now united under the Jerusalem Municipality and consider themselves Israeli.
Gilo is home to nearly 50,000 people, good regular folk who just want to go about their lives. There are medical clinics, drug stores, local corner shops and stores, pizza parlours and a good shopping mall; there are parks and schools, old people's homes and normal, normal life. These are not extremists they are people just like you and me and the popular Jerusalem neighborhood needs more homes. To call a press conference stating that building in Gilo is the only stumbling block to peace is an insult to our intelligence and treachery in the first degree. The greatest stumbling block to peace is the fact that our neighbours are sworn to kill us! The greatest stumbling block to peace is that we are told to stop building on disputed (formerly Jordanian) totally empty land while the Palestinians build at a phenomenal rate with impunity.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat stated: "Israeli law does not discriminate between Jews, Muslims, and Christians or between eastern and western Jerusalem. The demand to halt construction by religion is not legal in the United States or in any other free place in the world. I do not presume that any government would demand to freeze construction in the United States based on race, religion or gender and the attempt to demand it from Jerusalem is a double standard and inconceivable."
So why was I so angry? Why was this day different from all other days? Because not one TV report mentioned the fact that simultaneously the Jerusalem Municipality is building housing in Arab neighborhoods too! The announcement came over the wires exactly as the others but only IMRA chose to pick it up. http://imra.org.il/story.php3?id=46452
All the major US Emissaries from Dennis Ross to Martin Indyk leave their positions and tell of the unyielding stance of the Palestinians yet, while "on duty" they refuse to speak up. No-one refers to the fact that the Two State Solution was executed in 1948!!!
Incidentally, Gilo is part of a contiguous city - part of Jerusalem - all the photos you saw which indicate that it is a settlement on the top of a hill were taken from the formerly Christian Palestinian village of Beit Jalla or the formerly Christian town of Bethlehem. You can see the protective wall which was built when the Palestinians were shooting at Gilo.
The Palestinian Authority intended unilaterally declaring statehood, or not - depending upon with whom one speaks. Terrific! It would cut our taxes by at least 10%; mean that we wouldn't have to give free water, gas, electricity and hundreds of trucks of aid each week if the Palestinian Authority became an independent state. Unfortunately I think they did their sums and decided that they prefer milking us all dry instead. Vast quantities of money have been sunk into the PA, money which should have relieved hunger in Africa and Asia, but has been squandered on the corrupt Palestinian leaders by countries who want to keep everyone's attention on this tiny area so that no-one will notice their own mismanagement at home. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2002/6/International%20Financial%20Aid%20to%20the%20Palestinian%20Aut . I know where my tax money goes since it is all published http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2009/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009.htm but I am not sure that you do.
This week Zvi gave one of his entertaining and informative speeches before the marvelous and highly appreciative Buffalo Mission in the King David Hotel. The hotel was buzzing with the Saban Forum attended by President Clinton, Governor Schwarzenegger, Senators Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham. They met with PM Netanyahu and many other Israelis but in essence they talked, travelled to Ramallah came back to the finery of the King David and went home. Good intentions have done nothing to bring peace but the attendees enjoyed Israeli hospitality at its finest.
One of the finer aspects of Israeli generosity to the PA is shown in medicine. Whether through the free passage of Palestinian patients to Israeli hospitals for treatment or the training of PA medical professionals at Haifa's Rambam Hospital this week for a seminar on the treatment of cancer http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1258489190455&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter
Israel's scientists are rated number four in the world in scientific activity and publications. Not bad for a little country eh? http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1128738.html
Just in case you had any doubts as to Israel's contribution to our world "Tikkun Olam" click on the link and watch this outstanding video and then send it to everyone you know. I believe it was inspired by the brilliant letter by Barry Shaw http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=875 after attempts to boycott Israel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbIQto3KPUM&eurl
In Judaism we are told that we must leave the world a better place than that we found. This Israeli team has built a hospital in Equatorial New Guinea where they live with the nationals and serve them, teaching and nursing. This Youtube video shows you the side of Israel and the Israelis we want the world to know - the real one. Sorry it is in Spanish and Hebrew but the message is clear without words. http://www.youtube.com/v/JkI537wmYY0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1
Incidentally the Governors of Trondheim University in Norway halted another attempted boycott. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1127734.html
This amazing video, Mexican entry to the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is required viewing for Mr Ahmedinejad, David Irving, Jeremiah Wright and Mahmoud Abbas whose doctoral thesis was on the premise of Holocaust revisionism, indeed anyone heartless enough to claim there was no Holocaust. http://www.youtube.com/user/SFJewishFilmFestival#p/a
It rained again this week and my veranda is rewarding the Heavens with a sudden surge of growth and colour. The Jacaranda tree is losing its leaves, gathering strength to produce its long lavender flowers next spring; the vivid purple bougainvillea flowers are so bright from the wash and dry cycle that one needs sunglasses to look at them; the fuchsia, relieved that the scorching sun of summer has finally gone is greening up and producing flowers in abundance; the oranges are rounder, bigger and plumper slowly reaching their luscious edible state as are the kumquats; the "hadass" (box hedging) are green and fragrant, the herbs flourishing and best of all the pomegranates are bursting with pride at their sheer fecundity offering succour to the tiny "tsufit", an iridescent black native bird rather like a humming bird in shape and habit, as their fruits explode to reveal the bright, red juicy treasure within. Imagine all of this with the beauty of Jerusalem in the background. How lucky are we?
I wish you and yours a wonderful weekend, a fine Shabbat, a beautiful Sabbath day of peace and warmth, love and kindness.
With love from a spectacularly beautiful Jerusalem, white stones gleaming and glistening after the cleansing rain.
Sheila
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
090113 Gaza Update 9
13th January 2009.
Gaza Update 18th day of fighting
Hypocrisy! Sheer hypocrisy and cant in the general antipathy to Israel and the cries of anger at the plight of the people of Gaza. Hypocrisy, cant and humbug. Where were the voices of the likes of Human Rights Watch and Medicins son Frontieres, to say nothing of the media, when Hamas was murdering thousands of Gazan citizens? Where were they when Fatah stole the hundreds of billions of dollars given in aid to the people of Gaza (Forbes published that if the money had been used properly each Palestinian would have food a house and a car) and where was the disgust at the misuse of funds by Hamas who didn't build villas for themselves but built up arms stores to attack both Israel and their own people? Where are the cries of revulsion that the medical supplies that Israel sent to the hospitals of Gaza have been "held back" in case one of the Hamas leaders is injured. Where was the dismay when Israeli children were suffering rocket attacks? I repeat hypocrisy and cant. Not one of the aid organizations complained to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights because according to Islam, one Moslem can kill another Moslem without rebuke but no Christian (Iraq and Afghanistan) or Jew is allowed to do so.
To put the level of hypocrisy into perspective, as Israel is being lambasted for her actions in Gaza by the UN, the media, and not a few politicians, Israel's Foreign Office came upon this report by UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) A/63/372–S/2008/617 of military activity by forces in that country
"In the first eight months of 2008, UNAMA recorded a total of 1,445 civilian deaths, an increase of 39 per cent over the 1,040 civilian deaths recorded in the same period in 2007. Of those, 55 per cent were attributed to attacks by anti-Government elements, 40 per cent to pro-Government forces and 5 per cent to unknown agents."
Israel mourns every human being harmed because of this war – we did not want it and we do not want it – but we will fight to protect ourselves and defend our country because apparently no-one else will. In our battle for survival the world, apparently, believes Israel is Shylock wanting his pound of flesh, not a people trying to survive.
Israel has been accused of using phosphorous in her weaponry in Gaza. Chief of Staff Ashkenazi, testifying before a Knesset Committee said that the IDF does not use any banned weaponry and the Palestinian accusations are yet another aspect of their disinformation
Our friend Dr Michael Dor, Deputy Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Heath, told us that he personally approved that 120 children be brought through from Gaza for treatment in Israel but the Hamas allowed only 3. Why? Clearly it would deny their claim that we are killing their children.
I sat at my computer screen yesterday watching in amazement as truck after 16 wheeler double truck passed through the Kerem Shalom checkpoint each overloaded with aid for the people of Gaza. Kerem Shalom, a kibbutz established on Israeli land on the border with Gaza in 1966 by those who thought that we could live together in peace. Kerem Shalom – means vineyard of peace. Today there is no vineyard and no peace. The Ministry of Defence CCTV camera captured each truck as it crossed from Israel and returned later empty. Each and every day for two to three hours this is the ritual. Who are the liars who say we are starving the Gazans?
The latest from the front line is that many "Miluimnikim" reservists have gone into Gaza to take the place of the conscripts who have gone deeper into much more dangerous territory. Each of these amazing boys and men, each leaving behind a young family, admitted fear but was prepared to do what had to be done to ensure a future for his children. Our enemy is not 3 4 or 5 thousand miles away, it is right here on our doorstep and our boys know it.
I am proud of the communities around the world who had been demonstrating their support for Israel. NY, Sydney, Toronto, Chicago, Seattle, Manchester, Paris, Antwerp, and many other towns and cities brought out the supporters. What made me proudest is the fact that unlike the "others" there were no shouts of death to anyone but rather, like in London, banners begging for peace in both Israel and Gaza because we cannot have one without the other. I am particularly proud that our friend Tim Vince was asked by the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, Rabbi Jonathan Saks, to speak at the rally in Trafalgar Square in London. We will never forget the incredible support we get from Israel's Christian supporters.
It may seem oddly coincidental, but this week a brilliant Israeli film. "Waltz with Bashir" won the Golden Globe for best foreign film. http://waltzwithbashir.com/ Bashir Jumayel, was a young Lebanese Christian President-elect who was assassinated by the Syrians during the first Lebanese war. This extraordinary animated movie tells the tale of one man's war. An absolute must. You will be surprised at the honesty of the end.
Tonight, as I returned from a bed-time visit with my little grand-children, Yosef Eliyahu, Talia and Ayala, I came over the hill at Nebe Samuel and yet again the moon took my breath away. As it hung there before me, huge and golden, I couldn't help thinking that this is the same moon which is protecting our boys in Gaza. I stopped and chatted with the young soldier manning the check-point as I returned to Jerusalem wishing him a quiet and peaceful night with time to marvel at the moon.
Please G-d, bring our boys home safely. Dudu Fisher sang it for all of us "Bring him home". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYeatnIZ4h8
Love from Jerusalem with prayers toward Gaza.
Sheila
Gaza Update 18th day of fighting
Hypocrisy! Sheer hypocrisy and cant in the general antipathy to Israel and the cries of anger at the plight of the people of Gaza. Hypocrisy, cant and humbug. Where were the voices of the likes of Human Rights Watch and Medicins son Frontieres, to say nothing of the media, when Hamas was murdering thousands of Gazan citizens? Where were they when Fatah stole the hundreds of billions of dollars given in aid to the people of Gaza (Forbes published that if the money had been used properly each Palestinian would have food a house and a car) and where was the disgust at the misuse of funds by Hamas who didn't build villas for themselves but built up arms stores to attack both Israel and their own people? Where are the cries of revulsion that the medical supplies that Israel sent to the hospitals of Gaza have been "held back" in case one of the Hamas leaders is injured. Where was the dismay when Israeli children were suffering rocket attacks? I repeat hypocrisy and cant. Not one of the aid organizations complained to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights because according to Islam, one Moslem can kill another Moslem without rebuke but no Christian (Iraq and Afghanistan) or Jew is allowed to do so.
To put the level of hypocrisy into perspective, as Israel is being lambasted for her actions in Gaza by the UN, the media, and not a few politicians, Israel's Foreign Office came upon this report by UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) A/63/372–S/2008/617 of military activity by forces in that country
"In the first eight months of 2008, UNAMA recorded a total of 1,445 civilian deaths, an increase of 39 per cent over the 1,040 civilian deaths recorded in the same period in 2007. Of those, 55 per cent were attributed to attacks by anti-Government elements, 40 per cent to pro-Government forces and 5 per cent to unknown agents."
Israel mourns every human being harmed because of this war – we did not want it and we do not want it – but we will fight to protect ourselves and defend our country because apparently no-one else will. In our battle for survival the world, apparently, believes Israel is Shylock wanting his pound of flesh, not a people trying to survive.
Israel has been accused of using phosphorous in her weaponry in Gaza. Chief of Staff Ashkenazi, testifying before a Knesset Committee said that the IDF does not use any banned weaponry and the Palestinian accusations are yet another aspect of their disinformation
Our friend Dr Michael Dor, Deputy Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Heath, told us that he personally approved that 120 children be brought through from Gaza for treatment in Israel but the Hamas allowed only 3. Why? Clearly it would deny their claim that we are killing their children.
I sat at my computer screen yesterday watching in amazement as truck after 16 wheeler double truck passed through the Kerem Shalom checkpoint each overloaded with aid for the people of Gaza. Kerem Shalom, a kibbutz established on Israeli land on the border with Gaza in 1966 by those who thought that we could live together in peace. Kerem Shalom – means vineyard of peace. Today there is no vineyard and no peace. The Ministry of Defence CCTV camera captured each truck as it crossed from Israel and returned later empty. Each and every day for two to three hours this is the ritual. Who are the liars who say we are starving the Gazans?
The latest from the front line is that many "Miluimnikim" reservists have gone into Gaza to take the place of the conscripts who have gone deeper into much more dangerous territory. Each of these amazing boys and men, each leaving behind a young family, admitted fear but was prepared to do what had to be done to ensure a future for his children. Our enemy is not 3 4 or 5 thousand miles away, it is right here on our doorstep and our boys know it.
I am proud of the communities around the world who had been demonstrating their support for Israel. NY, Sydney, Toronto, Chicago, Seattle, Manchester, Paris, Antwerp, and many other towns and cities brought out the supporters. What made me proudest is the fact that unlike the "others" there were no shouts of death to anyone but rather, like in London, banners begging for peace in both Israel and Gaza because we cannot have one without the other. I am particularly proud that our friend Tim Vince was asked by the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, Rabbi Jonathan Saks, to speak at the rally in Trafalgar Square in London. We will never forget the incredible support we get from Israel's Christian supporters.
It may seem oddly coincidental, but this week a brilliant Israeli film. "Waltz with Bashir" won the Golden Globe for best foreign film. http://waltzwithbashir.com/ Bashir Jumayel, was a young Lebanese Christian President-elect who was assassinated by the Syrians during the first Lebanese war. This extraordinary animated movie tells the tale of one man's war. An absolute must. You will be surprised at the honesty of the end.
Tonight, as I returned from a bed-time visit with my little grand-children, Yosef Eliyahu, Talia and Ayala, I came over the hill at Nebe Samuel and yet again the moon took my breath away. As it hung there before me, huge and golden, I couldn't help thinking that this is the same moon which is protecting our boys in Gaza. I stopped and chatted with the young soldier manning the check-point as I returned to Jerusalem wishing him a quiet and peaceful night with time to marvel at the moon.
Please G-d, bring our boys home safely. Dudu Fisher sang it for all of us "Bring him home". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYeatnIZ4h8
Love from Jerusalem with prayers toward Gaza.
Sheila
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