Today at sundown Hanukkah has started. It will last for 8 days and here is what it celebrates :)
The year was 164 BC
Enjoy :)
VERY HAPPY HANUKKAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Iran's nuclear deal (for whom?)
It will be less about Israel and more internationally today.
Today in newspapers they proclaimed a great success - signing a deal with Iran on halting its nuclear program in exchange for vast Western economic help. It is said to be success in negotiations and a road to peace, but is it really?
Let's look a it closely. Does Iran need complicated and expensive nuclear energy for peace purposes? I don't think so. The country sitting on oil with gas prices ranging around 0,15$ per liter or less hardly needs to invest in this type of technology before tending to other needs.
Do they need Western economic help? Yes, for the first time in years they might use some as due to the restrictions put on it for last few years the crisis set on. It means that the restrictions were working.
Were the Western negotiators willing to put this pressure in order to halt and dismantle nuclear program under supervision? No, it purely is supposed to be halted. But its goal was never pacifist one and nobody in Iran was really denying it. And it is not only aiming towards regional hegemony and - possibly - destroying Israel (which was announced loudly by Iran's president). It is also close enough to Europe to dictate some of European politics, using dirty bombs as arguments, information (true or untrue) about missing nuclear material or threatening its sources of energy not only in Iran but the whole region.
And it doesn't take a genius to guess who and what does Iran wants to protect. It is Islamic republic, home of Khomeini and Islamic revolution, a country as hostile towards West as they make it. Yes, it is engaged in eternal bloody war in Muslim world between Sunni and Shiite but it has governors adept enough at socio-technics to be able to (for a time) unite them formally against common enemy if need be. And they have many friends in the region.
Now look at the demography: in 1956 Iran had app. 19 million residents; in 2009 already 75 million, in 2050 it is expected to have app. 105 million residents. Compare with app. 500 million in the whole EU with its 10% Muslim minority (so, app. 50 million people).
Now look at what has been said by Iran's authorities lately:
"The wave of Islamic revolution will soon reach the entire world"
"Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of Islamic nation's fury"
"Global equations undergo changes, this is their nature"
"The UN structure is one-sided, stacked against the world of Islam"
Do they sound scary? For me they do, words of fanatics - ready to kill and die and send others to their death always do sound scary.
We are taking about reasonably rich, powerful, fast-growing country with over representation of military-oriented young men, with fanatical government and authorities acting as if under attack by anybody in the West and as if representing Islam (no just Iran) - in its whole. It strongly brings to memory words of Nasser at the dawn of 6 Days War. It also brings to memory the times where 2 sides acting on different principles were engaged: conquistadors and native Indians, Romans and Huns, Europeans and Mongols in XIII century, or - more recently - Hitler and Deladier / Chamberlain. One side believes the other will be appeased by economic help and transfer of wealth (diminishing in Europe, not required in Iran which IS a rich country), the other operates under principles of faith, lust for power and belief in its holy mission.
Let me compare to quates:
“Today, that diplomacy opened up a new path toward a world that is more secure, a future in which we can verify that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and that it cannot build a nuclear weapon.”(President Obama, today)
"I have returned from Germany with peace for our time." (Neville Chamberlain, 1938, just after Munich conference, less than a year before WWII)
Today in newspapers they proclaimed a great success - signing a deal with Iran on halting its nuclear program in exchange for vast Western economic help. It is said to be success in negotiations and a road to peace, but is it really?
Let's look a it closely. Does Iran need complicated and expensive nuclear energy for peace purposes? I don't think so. The country sitting on oil with gas prices ranging around 0,15$ per liter or less hardly needs to invest in this type of technology before tending to other needs.
Do they need Western economic help? Yes, for the first time in years they might use some as due to the restrictions put on it for last few years the crisis set on. It means that the restrictions were working.
Were the Western negotiators willing to put this pressure in order to halt and dismantle nuclear program under supervision? No, it purely is supposed to be halted. But its goal was never pacifist one and nobody in Iran was really denying it. And it is not only aiming towards regional hegemony and - possibly - destroying Israel (which was announced loudly by Iran's president). It is also close enough to Europe to dictate some of European politics, using dirty bombs as arguments, information (true or untrue) about missing nuclear material or threatening its sources of energy not only in Iran but the whole region.
And it doesn't take a genius to guess who and what does Iran wants to protect. It is Islamic republic, home of Khomeini and Islamic revolution, a country as hostile towards West as they make it. Yes, it is engaged in eternal bloody war in Muslim world between Sunni and Shiite but it has governors adept enough at socio-technics to be able to (for a time) unite them formally against common enemy if need be. And they have many friends in the region.
Now look at the demography: in 1956 Iran had app. 19 million residents; in 2009 already 75 million, in 2050 it is expected to have app. 105 million residents. Compare with app. 500 million in the whole EU with its 10% Muslim minority (so, app. 50 million people).
Now look at what has been said by Iran's authorities lately:
"The wave of Islamic revolution will soon reach the entire world"
"Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of Islamic nation's fury"
"Global equations undergo changes, this is their nature"
"The UN structure is one-sided, stacked against the world of Islam"
Do they sound scary? For me they do, words of fanatics - ready to kill and die and send others to their death always do sound scary.
We are taking about reasonably rich, powerful, fast-growing country with over representation of military-oriented young men, with fanatical government and authorities acting as if under attack by anybody in the West and as if representing Islam (no just Iran) - in its whole. It strongly brings to memory words of Nasser at the dawn of 6 Days War. It also brings to memory the times where 2 sides acting on different principles were engaged: conquistadors and native Indians, Romans and Huns, Europeans and Mongols in XIII century, or - more recently - Hitler and Deladier / Chamberlain. One side believes the other will be appeased by economic help and transfer of wealth (diminishing in Europe, not required in Iran which IS a rich country), the other operates under principles of faith, lust for power and belief in its holy mission.
Let me compare to quates:
“Today, that diplomacy opened up a new path toward a world that is more secure, a future in which we can verify that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and that it cannot build a nuclear weapon.”(President Obama, today)
"I have returned from Germany with peace for our time." (Neville Chamberlain, 1938, just after Munich conference, less than a year before WWII)
Thursday, 21 November 2013
Promised land (for the birds)
Many people do not know, as I didn't until somebody gave me a clue, that very few species of birds are capable of flying long distances over the sea. Most migratory birds prefer to fly mostly over the land and thus seek the route from Africa to Europe's nesting grounds and back with as little oversea flying as possible. Israel is not only on the way, it is on the very center of the way.
It is very convenient passageway for migratory birds, home to many non-migratory ones and - due to decades of protection law enforcement and general welcoming by people and institutions alike - nothing short of the garden of Eden for the birds.
Twice a year through Israel, the country smaller than Belgium and in half consisting of desert, 500 million birds fly on their way to/ from Europe. It is their resting ground. And - in an addition to some 230 migratory species - there are approximately 270 species native to Israel which in total gives only 150 less species than one may encounter in the whole of the USA.
There are more than 10 institutions dedicated to research, help and watching birds and huge areas are under protection for their use (one of the mos famous is Hula Valley in the north).
In Eilat former garbage dump site was transferred to bird-feeding station as area's salt marshes have been transformed and no longer can support that many birds. It is ilegal in Israel to kill or even stress birds (the last giving way for many jokes about what stresses the birds, still they are very welcome guests to the country).
No wonder that each yer thousands of tourists come to Israel for the exclusive purpose of bird-watching. It is rare delight for anybody interested in birdwatching and for most of us who just like to have a glimpse at the wonders of our world. See for yourselves :)
It is very convenient passageway for migratory birds, home to many non-migratory ones and - due to decades of protection law enforcement and general welcoming by people and institutions alike - nothing short of the garden of Eden for the birds.
Twice a year through Israel, the country smaller than Belgium and in half consisting of desert, 500 million birds fly on their way to/ from Europe. It is their resting ground. And - in an addition to some 230 migratory species - there are approximately 270 species native to Israel which in total gives only 150 less species than one may encounter in the whole of the USA.
There are more than 10 institutions dedicated to research, help and watching birds and huge areas are under protection for their use (one of the mos famous is Hula Valley in the north).
In Eilat former garbage dump site was transferred to bird-feeding station as area's salt marshes have been transformed and no longer can support that many birds. It is ilegal in Israel to kill or even stress birds (the last giving way for many jokes about what stresses the birds, still they are very welcome guests to the country).
No wonder that each yer thousands of tourists come to Israel for the exclusive purpose of bird-watching. It is rare delight for anybody interested in birdwatching and for most of us who just like to have a glimpse at the wonders of our world. See for yourselves :)
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
75th anniversary
It is 3 days to the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht (crystal night) - the night in 1938 when the biggest pogrom in pre-war Nazi Germany happened.
Synagogues were burnt, homes and small businesses invaded and ruined, people beaten and robbed, 91 Jews lost their lives (usually beaten to death). And it was all state-organized, legal (Nurnberg statutes were already introduced effectively putting Jews outside any protection of law whatsoever).
It was very black night in Europe being followed by much blacker years.
Today in Europe Antisemitism is very present. Synagogues and Jewish schools and meeting houses are under protection, guarded often 24 hours a day. There have been cases of setting fire to them in Sweden, UK, France and many other European countries. Jewish schools welcome pupils with safety gear comparable to the one on airports - at least in most places (and as the case of shooting rabbi and children in Jewish school in France shows - for a very good reason). There is movie on youtube showing Jewish school in UK under heavy protection of CCTV cameras, security personnel and with bullet-proof windows. All with the comment from English policeman that it is indeed very necessary as assaults on it are common.
It looks like after Holocaust, after 6 years of the most terrible war, after wiping off 6.000.000 of its Jewish citizens (98% of the prewar population in Europe) Europe has learned nothing.
What a shame that at the same time when most European children usually walk to the nearest school without giving it the second thought and visiting churches for religious or touristic purposes is normal-day activity Jewish community in Europe lives n fear and is - AGAIN - under attack.
At the same time when bulbs, vacuum cleaners and alike are discussed by EU bodies as sooo important issue Jewish citizens of Europe feel in few places as they did shortly before the Kristallnacht.
It is real SHAME for all Europeans, myself included and I feel it deeply - all I may do is write about it, and talk about it. It is not enough, it is very little....
Synagogues were burnt, homes and small businesses invaded and ruined, people beaten and robbed, 91 Jews lost their lives (usually beaten to death). And it was all state-organized, legal (Nurnberg statutes were already introduced effectively putting Jews outside any protection of law whatsoever).
It was very black night in Europe being followed by much blacker years.
Today in Europe Antisemitism is very present. Synagogues and Jewish schools and meeting houses are under protection, guarded often 24 hours a day. There have been cases of setting fire to them in Sweden, UK, France and many other European countries. Jewish schools welcome pupils with safety gear comparable to the one on airports - at least in most places (and as the case of shooting rabbi and children in Jewish school in France shows - for a very good reason). There is movie on youtube showing Jewish school in UK under heavy protection of CCTV cameras, security personnel and with bullet-proof windows. All with the comment from English policeman that it is indeed very necessary as assaults on it are common.
It looks like after Holocaust, after 6 years of the most terrible war, after wiping off 6.000.000 of its Jewish citizens (98% of the prewar population in Europe) Europe has learned nothing.
What a shame that at the same time when most European children usually walk to the nearest school without giving it the second thought and visiting churches for religious or touristic purposes is normal-day activity Jewish community in Europe lives n fear and is - AGAIN - under attack.
At the same time when bulbs, vacuum cleaners and alike are discussed by EU bodies as sooo important issue Jewish citizens of Europe feel in few places as they did shortly before the Kristallnacht.
It is real SHAME for all Europeans, myself included and I feel it deeply - all I may do is write about it, and talk about it. It is not enough, it is very little....
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Halt of construction materials being allowed into Gaza
Many of you may wonder on times about media writing about building materials not being allowed into Gaza. Why is that so? Is it true? What is wrong with building materials - certainly needed in highly populated area?
Well, it is like with a kitchen knife. There is nothing wrong with it and it is absolutely first need article that normally should be allowed for anybody, except when you are asked for it by somebody trying to murder you. If you were a prison guard and one of the inmates would ask for a kitchen knife I don't suppose you would treat him the same way you would have if you were a shopkeeper and a client would ask you for a kitchen knife, isn't it so?
Here is an answer to this riddle.
Hamas - being in power in Gaza - is the one to admit transports of goods send to Gaza via Israel (by Israel and all other parties). Palestinian terrorists from Hamas are the ones who try to infiltrate Israel to either kill or capture Israelis (during long captivity of captured soldier Gilad Schalit there have appeared disgusting posters in Gaza saying about how female soldier should be captured to keep him company).
Preparations to infiltrate Israel by terrorists include building tunnels like the one which was just discovered. Its construction included 24,000 concrete slabs delivered to Gaza by Israel and manufactured in Israel. They were supposed to help construct houses for civilians, but they were used to construct tunnel by Hamas terrorists. To kill those who gave the slabs in the first place.
Would you give a kitchen knife to your neighbor in need? Sure. Would you give a kitchen knife to somebody trying to kill you and making no secret of it? I don't think so.
Do you understand now WHY building materials are often not allowed into Gaza? It is an amazing goodwill of Israeli authorities (from my point of view of somebody not directly in danger of being killed just for who I am) that occasionally they are still delivered.
Well, it is like with a kitchen knife. There is nothing wrong with it and it is absolutely first need article that normally should be allowed for anybody, except when you are asked for it by somebody trying to murder you. If you were a prison guard and one of the inmates would ask for a kitchen knife I don't suppose you would treat him the same way you would have if you were a shopkeeper and a client would ask you for a kitchen knife, isn't it so?
Here is an answer to this riddle.
Hamas - being in power in Gaza - is the one to admit transports of goods send to Gaza via Israel (by Israel and all other parties). Palestinian terrorists from Hamas are the ones who try to infiltrate Israel to either kill or capture Israelis (during long captivity of captured soldier Gilad Schalit there have appeared disgusting posters in Gaza saying about how female soldier should be captured to keep him company).
Preparations to infiltrate Israel by terrorists include building tunnels like the one which was just discovered. Its construction included 24,000 concrete slabs delivered to Gaza by Israel and manufactured in Israel. They were supposed to help construct houses for civilians, but they were used to construct tunnel by Hamas terrorists. To kill those who gave the slabs in the first place.
Would you give a kitchen knife to your neighbor in need? Sure. Would you give a kitchen knife to somebody trying to kill you and making no secret of it? I don't think so.
Do you understand now WHY building materials are often not allowed into Gaza? It is an amazing goodwill of Israeli authorities (from my point of view of somebody not directly in danger of being killed just for who I am) that occasionally they are still delivered.
Sunday, 6 October 2013
Praising the child's murder :(
Mainstream media in Europe won't write about it (as they have written about every little incident putting Israelis in bad light) so let me do it as it may interest you. On Saturday, two weeks after shooting by sniper IDF soldier in Hebron, a 9-year-old girl was shoot by Palestinian terrorist in Psagot - a town in Judea. Terrorist escaped by hole in the fence.
Shooting a child is the most tragic part of the story, but the most infuriating is putting by administrator of official Fatah's facebook page this comment:
"The sniper of Palestine was here. He saluted Hebron, and rested in El-Bireh. He left the signature of [real] men in different parts of the homeland. He saluted and left, and moved on to a different place, with a new signature, as he tells the stories of those who love the homeland."
I just remind you that it is official PA Autonomy authority, financed and supported by EU (not only but significantly) with our taxes and called "peace talks partner" or "non-radicals".
I will spare you my comments, they could have been vulgar...
Shooting a child is the most tragic part of the story, but the most infuriating is putting by administrator of official Fatah's facebook page this comment:
"The sniper of Palestine was here. He saluted Hebron, and rested in El-Bireh. He left the signature of [real] men in different parts of the homeland. He saluted and left, and moved on to a different place, with a new signature, as he tells the stories of those who love the homeland."
I just remind you that it is official PA Autonomy authority, financed and supported by EU (not only but significantly) with our taxes and called "peace talks partner" or "non-radicals".
I will spare you my comments, they could have been vulgar...
Saturday, 5 October 2013
40 years ago...
It is exactly 40 years since the breakout of Yom Kippur war.
Few days after closing by Austrian authorities refugee camp for Soviet Jews on their way to Israel (after an attack by Palestinian gunman) and after the families of Soviet diplomats were evacuated from Syria (on the 4th of October) the war started on the highest Jewish holiday. The Yom Kippur war, just like the 6-days-war, was in a sense a hot episode of cold war (Syria being supported by Soviet Union). On the same day when Soviet diplomats were evacuated Syrians gathered 1,200 tanks on a 40 mile long border with Israel (for comparison: in 1941 when Germany started attack on its former ally Soviet Union they used 1,400 tanks on 1,000 mile long front line).
Israeli army was on high alert yet, in the anticipation of the highest holiday, reservists were not mobilized, though soldiers returning for a holiday to their homes were very often called back right away (it happened for example to Icchac Rabin's son).
In synagogues soldiers were often found by those delivering mobilization papers - the event with no president before. At 2 p.m. sirens sounded and at 2.30 radio broke the silence (there is no radio or TV broadcasting on Yom Kippur) to announce that the alarm was for real. An hour later another announcement made things clear: public communication was to start immediately, hospitals put on high alert and those in shape permitting such transfer were to be moved form hospitals home making place for military casualties. War has started.
The war was, of course, won, otherwise Israel would have ceased to exist (that was the goal of the attackers) but the price was heavy. In Sinai the whole 3rd Egyptian Army was held by fortifications manned by 436 soldiers, many of them new immigrants. Quite often the commanding officer was killed in early stages of war and the command was executed by corporals or even privates.
One of such forts (fort "Quay") was holding for a week before (when only 20 hand-grenades and few belts of light ammunition were left) it surrendered. Taking what was left of his men, after having washed in last drops of water, and collecting Torah scrolls, soldiers were marched to captivity. Egyptians searched for a long time for heavy machine-guns refusing to believe there were none.
Let us not forget about the events forty years ago....
And here is the link to Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood resentments :(
Few days after closing by Austrian authorities refugee camp for Soviet Jews on their way to Israel (after an attack by Palestinian gunman) and after the families of Soviet diplomats were evacuated from Syria (on the 4th of October) the war started on the highest Jewish holiday. The Yom Kippur war, just like the 6-days-war, was in a sense a hot episode of cold war (Syria being supported by Soviet Union). On the same day when Soviet diplomats were evacuated Syrians gathered 1,200 tanks on a 40 mile long border with Israel (for comparison: in 1941 when Germany started attack on its former ally Soviet Union they used 1,400 tanks on 1,000 mile long front line).
Israeli army was on high alert yet, in the anticipation of the highest holiday, reservists were not mobilized, though soldiers returning for a holiday to their homes were very often called back right away (it happened for example to Icchac Rabin's son).
In synagogues soldiers were often found by those delivering mobilization papers - the event with no president before. At 2 p.m. sirens sounded and at 2.30 radio broke the silence (there is no radio or TV broadcasting on Yom Kippur) to announce that the alarm was for real. An hour later another announcement made things clear: public communication was to start immediately, hospitals put on high alert and those in shape permitting such transfer were to be moved form hospitals home making place for military casualties. War has started.
The war was, of course, won, otherwise Israel would have ceased to exist (that was the goal of the attackers) but the price was heavy. In Sinai the whole 3rd Egyptian Army was held by fortifications manned by 436 soldiers, many of them new immigrants. Quite often the commanding officer was killed in early stages of war and the command was executed by corporals or even privates.
One of such forts (fort "Quay") was holding for a week before (when only 20 hand-grenades and few belts of light ammunition were left) it surrendered. Taking what was left of his men, after having washed in last drops of water, and collecting Torah scrolls, soldiers were marched to captivity. Egyptians searched for a long time for heavy machine-guns refusing to believe there were none.
Let us not forget about the events forty years ago....
And here is the link to Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood resentments :(
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Sukkot
Sukkot, the festival starting 5 days after Yom Kippur and lasting for 7 days, is going on. During this time many Jews build sukkas (shelters) in their backyards, balconies, beaches or other places. It is time of thanksgiving for food, asking for good harvest, remembering time when Hebrews lived on the desert escaping Egypt to enter promised land...
One may enter such sukka freely and be accepted warmly as expected guest. It is time of cherishing friendships and making new ones.
Today is the day when tens of thousands gather at the Western Wall for priestly blessing - with chief sephardic and ashkenazi rabbis presiding over it and participating in prayers. After the ceremony pilgrims are accepted by rabbis in their sukkas at the Wall.
The last day of Sukkot is Simcha Tora (The Joy of Tora) when holy scrolls are taken around synagogue in joyful, dancing procession and even children are aloud to touch them.
HAPPY SUKKOT TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!
One may enter such sukka freely and be accepted warmly as expected guest. It is time of cherishing friendships and making new ones.
Today is the day when tens of thousands gather at the Western Wall for priestly blessing - with chief sephardic and ashkenazi rabbis presiding over it and participating in prayers. After the ceremony pilgrims are accepted by rabbis in their sukkas at the Wall.
The last day of Sukkot is Simcha Tora (The Joy of Tora) when holy scrolls are taken around synagogue in joyful, dancing procession and even children are aloud to touch them.
HAPPY SUKKOT TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!
Monday, 16 September 2013
European Anti-Semitism
Here is an article published by Gatestone Institute about European antisemitism.
It has been written by Muslim writer, obviously caring for hi religion but also full of humanitarian ideals.
In my opinion the writer has a point. There are so many, many bloody and awful conflict around the world. To name a few think about Syria, Congo, former Angola war, Darfur and - oh - so many others!!!! Most people in Europe don't give a damn or if they do they are doing their job (sometimes good and needed) without much publicity.
There is one exception. The conflict in which Europeans en masse support aggressors picturing them as victims. The conflict not even remotely as bloody as most if not all others, yet pictured by European media as if it was the most viscous on planet. The conflict which aggressors (posed and described as victims) do not want to finish, yet it is blamed on the other side! The conflict in which EU regardless of the crises pumps millions of euro from the taxpayers money.
Yes, you have guessed correctly! It is the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. And I absolutely agree with the author of the above linked article that it is not because Europeans care for Palestinians (they are completely indifferent e.g. to the fate of those Palestinians who have been put to refugee camps in Syria or Lebanon and to the fate of those who are decimated in Syria). The reason this particular conflict is so cherished by European media and many Europeans is because it allows for expressing freely antisemitism in word and deed.
It has been written by Muslim writer, obviously caring for hi religion but also full of humanitarian ideals.
In my opinion the writer has a point. There are so many, many bloody and awful conflict around the world. To name a few think about Syria, Congo, former Angola war, Darfur and - oh - so many others!!!! Most people in Europe don't give a damn or if they do they are doing their job (sometimes good and needed) without much publicity.
There is one exception. The conflict in which Europeans en masse support aggressors picturing them as victims. The conflict not even remotely as bloody as most if not all others, yet pictured by European media as if it was the most viscous on planet. The conflict which aggressors (posed and described as victims) do not want to finish, yet it is blamed on the other side! The conflict in which EU regardless of the crises pumps millions of euro from the taxpayers money.
Yes, you have guessed correctly! It is the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. And I absolutely agree with the author of the above linked article that it is not because Europeans care for Palestinians (they are completely indifferent e.g. to the fate of those Palestinians who have been put to refugee camps in Syria or Lebanon and to the fate of those who are decimated in Syria). The reason this particular conflict is so cherished by European media and many Europeans is because it allows for expressing freely antisemitism in word and deed.
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
There are none (or nearly none) pro-Palesinian activists
But there are many Israel haters or simple Antisemitic people who pose as pro-Palestinians.
Why do I say that?
I met many in my life and there were some universal features. Consider this:
1. None of those activists was in the least concerned by authoritarian (to say the least, morbidly tyrannical would have been closer to the truth) power Fatah and - specially - Hamas hold over Palestinians. Nobody was willing to address executions conducted in Gaza for homosexuality, friendships with Israeli families or rejecting Islam. Human rights broken by PA authorities are evidently of no greater concern to those activists though Palestinians are their primary and nearly exclusive victims.
2. Nobody mentioned women's rights and freedom (specially in Gaza) e.g. closing water fun-park (built by UN meaning by our taxes) for everybody and de facto destroying it in order to prevent using it by children of both sexes.
3. Nobody was in the least concerned that authority whose one and only program is destroying its neighbor can't be expected to do anything for improving lives of people under its power. And the same authority refuses help if it is meant for economic improvement and can't be used against Israel (it is common and commonly applied truth that it is easier to rule over impoverished, badly educated and tyrannically ruled people with invented - if real is impossible - "enemy").
4. Nobody gave a damn about enormous corruption in PA meaning that aid money goes to private bank accounts and never reaches people for whom it was meant (justly or unjustly doesn't matter in this instance, just doesn't go there at all).
5. Nobody was interested in crimes against Palestinians committed in Arab countries (mainly Syria or Lebanon) who against all UN acts considering refugees keep them for generations in camps just to show them as "Israeli victims" on TV (I remind there were originally more Jewish refugees of this conflict but they have settled somewhere, mostly Israel, long ago, were given full citizen rights and their grandchildren are no more refugees than the vast majority of us).
6. Nobody was outraged by Abbas's words (that angered me for example very much) that if Palestinians in Syria were to revoke their "right of return" let them rather perish. He says lightly about death of Palestinians, women and children included if they will stop serving his murderous purpose to destroy Israel and NO so called pro-Palestinian activists considers it WRONG TO THE CORE?
7. Nobody is concerned by strange UNRWA activities so much in contrast to UN charts. UNHCR with 7,000 staff takes care for all the refugees but Palestinian in the world, and the status of refugee is no-inherited. It is about allowing people to start life anew e.g. as was the case with Pakistan-India division, very similar situation where refugees were on both sides. How many babies who are Pakistani/ Indian refugees do we have? None of course, and it was nearly exactly at the same time as Israel independence war. UNRWA with 30,000 staff serves only Palestinians from whom vast majority was born long after the conflict and while originally one would deal with approximately 750,000 Palestinian refugees and 900,000 Jewish ones (mostly from Arab countries) now we have NO Jewish refugees from this conflict and few millions Palestinian ones. But it is the effect of combined treating Palestinians in very special way against UN charts (e.g. letting only them inherit this status) and treating them extremely wrong by Arab countries, again in breach of UN charts. None of this is Israel's fault or idea.
8. Nobody thinks it is strange that 350,000 Jews living in Judea and Samaria and obstacle to peace while app. 1,250,000 Arabs living in Israel are not. And nobody (from those activists) thinks it is wrong when Abbas calls for "Judenrein" (deprived of Jews, Nazi term) Palestine while it is obvious that Arab citizens of Israel are free to stay where they live even if two-state solution is accepted.
9. Nobody protests again teaching (with UN and EU money) in UNRWA lead schools geography with no Israel on maps or history without Holocaust.
10. To make it short: NOBODY GIVES A DAMN ABOUT PALESTINIANS AND THEIR MISFORTUNES IF ISRAEL CAN'T BE INVOLVED EVEN BY THE MOST TWISTED LOGIC.
That's why I say there are no pro-Palestinian activists. They are simply and purely anti-Israeli or, to call it properly, Antisemitic!!!!!! And Palestinians are just a tool to use.
Why do I say that?
I met many in my life and there were some universal features. Consider this:
1. None of those activists was in the least concerned by authoritarian (to say the least, morbidly tyrannical would have been closer to the truth) power Fatah and - specially - Hamas hold over Palestinians. Nobody was willing to address executions conducted in Gaza for homosexuality, friendships with Israeli families or rejecting Islam. Human rights broken by PA authorities are evidently of no greater concern to those activists though Palestinians are their primary and nearly exclusive victims.
2. Nobody mentioned women's rights and freedom (specially in Gaza) e.g. closing water fun-park (built by UN meaning by our taxes) for everybody and de facto destroying it in order to prevent using it by children of both sexes.
3. Nobody was in the least concerned that authority whose one and only program is destroying its neighbor can't be expected to do anything for improving lives of people under its power. And the same authority refuses help if it is meant for economic improvement and can't be used against Israel (it is common and commonly applied truth that it is easier to rule over impoverished, badly educated and tyrannically ruled people with invented - if real is impossible - "enemy").
4. Nobody gave a damn about enormous corruption in PA meaning that aid money goes to private bank accounts and never reaches people for whom it was meant (justly or unjustly doesn't matter in this instance, just doesn't go there at all).
5. Nobody was interested in crimes against Palestinians committed in Arab countries (mainly Syria or Lebanon) who against all UN acts considering refugees keep them for generations in camps just to show them as "Israeli victims" on TV (I remind there were originally more Jewish refugees of this conflict but they have settled somewhere, mostly Israel, long ago, were given full citizen rights and their grandchildren are no more refugees than the vast majority of us).
6. Nobody was outraged by Abbas's words (that angered me for example very much) that if Palestinians in Syria were to revoke their "right of return" let them rather perish. He says lightly about death of Palestinians, women and children included if they will stop serving his murderous purpose to destroy Israel and NO so called pro-Palestinian activists considers it WRONG TO THE CORE?
7. Nobody is concerned by strange UNRWA activities so much in contrast to UN charts. UNHCR with 7,000 staff takes care for all the refugees but Palestinian in the world, and the status of refugee is no-inherited. It is about allowing people to start life anew e.g. as was the case with Pakistan-India division, very similar situation where refugees were on both sides. How many babies who are Pakistani/ Indian refugees do we have? None of course, and it was nearly exactly at the same time as Israel independence war. UNRWA with 30,000 staff serves only Palestinians from whom vast majority was born long after the conflict and while originally one would deal with approximately 750,000 Palestinian refugees and 900,000 Jewish ones (mostly from Arab countries) now we have NO Jewish refugees from this conflict and few millions Palestinian ones. But it is the effect of combined treating Palestinians in very special way against UN charts (e.g. letting only them inherit this status) and treating them extremely wrong by Arab countries, again in breach of UN charts. None of this is Israel's fault or idea.
8. Nobody thinks it is strange that 350,000 Jews living in Judea and Samaria and obstacle to peace while app. 1,250,000 Arabs living in Israel are not. And nobody (from those activists) thinks it is wrong when Abbas calls for "Judenrein" (deprived of Jews, Nazi term) Palestine while it is obvious that Arab citizens of Israel are free to stay where they live even if two-state solution is accepted.
9. Nobody protests again teaching (with UN and EU money) in UNRWA lead schools geography with no Israel on maps or history without Holocaust.
10. To make it short: NOBODY GIVES A DAMN ABOUT PALESTINIANS AND THEIR MISFORTUNES IF ISRAEL CAN'T BE INVOLVED EVEN BY THE MOST TWISTED LOGIC.
That's why I say there are no pro-Palestinian activists. They are simply and purely anti-Israeli or, to call it properly, Antisemitic!!!!!! And Palestinians are just a tool to use.
Saturday, 8 June 2013
Stunning and courageous text by an amazing person!
There was to be something optimistic, wasn't it?
Well, how about this.?
I don't know if I will be able to write a commentary that won't be just going in circles around this text. I just encourage you to read it and share it and for me this one Lady has done more to the cause of peace than all Muslim politicians who at whatever time declared they were doing something for peace including honored ones (specially one, I think you can guess to whom I refer).
Their was power and the world's attention and media time and life luxuries. Hers is belief, humanity, God's fear, honesty and courage.
Praise to this exceptional Lady and personal "thank you" from me for reviving some faith in humanity :)
Well, how about this.?
I don't know if I will be able to write a commentary that won't be just going in circles around this text. I just encourage you to read it and share it and for me this one Lady has done more to the cause of peace than all Muslim politicians who at whatever time declared they were doing something for peace including honored ones (specially one, I think you can guess to whom I refer).
Their was power and the world's attention and media time and life luxuries. Hers is belief, humanity, God's fear, honesty and courage.
Praise to this exceptional Lady and personal "thank you" from me for reviving some faith in humanity :)
Sickening!!!!!!
I so much wanted to tell you something optimistic this time and I have few optimistic, joyful posts in mind but after having read this I just can't write what I planned before reporting this scandal (as it is a scandal for me).
This museum uses French taxpayers money (had I knew which one it is I'd probably have written there) to praise terrorists and murderers who targeted civilians, children included, motivated by racial hatred.
Have the murder ceased to be crime in France? Or were just Israelis taken out of its protection? Would French authorities fancy if any country would subsidize exhibition showing as "freedom fighters" murderers of French citizens in Mali or Algeria or elsewhere? (say, e.g. in latest hostage situation in work plant in Algeria)?
Do they believe Jews are legitimate targets or "just" Israelis?
I really can't state how distasteful and outrageous it is. And I have little hope anything will be done :(
This museum uses French taxpayers money (had I knew which one it is I'd probably have written there) to praise terrorists and murderers who targeted civilians, children included, motivated by racial hatred.
Have the murder ceased to be crime in France? Or were just Israelis taken out of its protection? Would French authorities fancy if any country would subsidize exhibition showing as "freedom fighters" murderers of French citizens in Mali or Algeria or elsewhere? (say, e.g. in latest hostage situation in work plant in Algeria)?
Do they believe Jews are legitimate targets or "just" Israelis?
I really can't state how distasteful and outrageous it is. And I have little hope anything will be done :(
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Coming back of Quisiling's Norway
Let me show you some picture divided by approximately 70 years but not by a place
There...
All of them taken in Norway, the last showing Norway's Jews deported to death camps
And now...
All of them but the one before last taken also in Norway. The first showing desecrated Jewish burial ground, the next antisemitic writing as if taken straight from the times shown on first 3 pictures, one the caricature from Norwich paper and the last one Palestinian bishop Munib Younan during his 2010 visit to Norway and Sweden where he stated: " We Arab bishops like Scandinavia, they share our latent anti-Semitism!" Truly he was honest and by the fact that this statement was accepted nobody's denying it.
Norway was Nazi Germany close ally, it deported its Jews to death, collaborated through all war, accepted its share of Nazi gold. Quisling's regime, viciously racist and Antisemitic ended with him being put on trial and hanged. Of course he wasn't the only one collaborating or sympathizing with Nazis in Europe. But it is hard to imagine today French citizens praising Vichy regime or Slovaks praising Tiso's one and Quisling is becoming more and more praised figure among young Nordic people.
There was a time (specially when I was a child) when Scandinavia was primarily a symbol of honesty (I remember those tales about shops where there were no employees, clients were taking what they needed and leaving money, even if only few and in rural communities for a child behind iron curtain it sounded like fairy tale became true), liberty, caring for all citizens. I remember when on December night 1981 the last ferry to Stockholm before declaring marshal law in Poland was reversed to Poland. People were jumping to icy cold Baltic to escape it.
Over 30 years have passed, the world changed, now both Norway and Sweden for many (not only myself) are connected not only to wealthy (still) countries with breathtaking landscapes but also with ugly, omnipresent Antisemitism ignored or shared by authorities. Like when cementeries are desecrated, synagogues put on fire (or tried to be put on fire, in Malmo already 3 times), Jews attacked verbally if still rarely physically (yet it happens) and reprimanded by authorities that if they don't want to declare hostility towards Israel it's their fault (nobody considers seriously freedom of thought and speech or simply the fact that they are Norway's citizens and what are their politic views should not be state's problem if they are honest, law-abiding and tax-paying).
Something went very, very, very wrong there. And it looks like after 70 or 80 years we're back in 30s at least when it comes to Antisemitism.
There...
And now...
Norway was Nazi Germany close ally, it deported its Jews to death, collaborated through all war, accepted its share of Nazi gold. Quisling's regime, viciously racist and Antisemitic ended with him being put on trial and hanged. Of course he wasn't the only one collaborating or sympathizing with Nazis in Europe. But it is hard to imagine today French citizens praising Vichy regime or Slovaks praising Tiso's one and Quisling is becoming more and more praised figure among young Nordic people.
There was a time (specially when I was a child) when Scandinavia was primarily a symbol of honesty (I remember those tales about shops where there were no employees, clients were taking what they needed and leaving money, even if only few and in rural communities for a child behind iron curtain it sounded like fairy tale became true), liberty, caring for all citizens. I remember when on December night 1981 the last ferry to Stockholm before declaring marshal law in Poland was reversed to Poland. People were jumping to icy cold Baltic to escape it.
Over 30 years have passed, the world changed, now both Norway and Sweden for many (not only myself) are connected not only to wealthy (still) countries with breathtaking landscapes but also with ugly, omnipresent Antisemitism ignored or shared by authorities. Like when cementeries are desecrated, synagogues put on fire (or tried to be put on fire, in Malmo already 3 times), Jews attacked verbally if still rarely physically (yet it happens) and reprimanded by authorities that if they don't want to declare hostility towards Israel it's their fault (nobody considers seriously freedom of thought and speech or simply the fact that they are Norway's citizens and what are their politic views should not be state's problem if they are honest, law-abiding and tax-paying).
Something went very, very, very wrong there. And it looks like after 70 or 80 years we're back in 30s at least when it comes to Antisemitism.
Saturday, 25 May 2013
Reflections upon first commandment and Europe
"When a Man stops believing in God he doesn’t then believe in nothing, he believes anything." these words by Gilbert K. Chesterton aren't absolutely true ;) I have met enough wonderful atheists in my life to know it but as a general rule they are true in this respect that people tend to seek greater power they may turn to, trust in, have hopes connected to. If they cease believing in God their faith may easily turn to something else, which may or may not be a problem.
Recently one very interesting and - in my opinion - pretty sad trend in Europe has emerged, showing what this 'anything' may look like. Europe becomes more and more non-religious and post-christian. For many native Europeans it is the matter of tradition (if anything at all), rather than living faith.
Nevertheless, in parallel with becoming less Christian and more (by immigration) Muslim there is yet another process in Europe, that started possibly some 80 years ago, accelerated after WWII and resembles, in many respects, religious beliefs.
It bears some similarity to a local version of cargo cults, which developed in Polynesia during WWII, where on certain little islands, never before touched by civilization, people were building models of planes (seen when army was using these islands) and subsequently burning them to bring new transports of chewing gum, cigarettes and chocolate.
It is the cult of the state as something external, omnipotent and caring for its subjects (or even loving them). As indispensable as it may be state is not an absolute being from other reality (as some Europeans feel) but something connecting us, for which we are responsible as a society.
It still isn't obvious for many that the only source of its income are taxes (so, basically, our money) and only so much can be spent for education, health, fighting unemployment, paying for agriculture (heavily subsidized), all the bureaucrats and social programs and whatever else the state is funding/ organizing/ taking care of (and, which is pretty worrisome, it is more and more hard to point anything the state isn't considering its duty to take care of, at least in Europe). Of course together with it it takes responsibility and blame for things done and not done.
More and more often one hears that the state has to teach citizens about the merit of something or another or how they are to bring up children, how to eat, how to (not) smoke or drink, what to believe in, what to consider right or wrong.
Together with these voices I hear how a state cares for us, well, being grown up and with my own views and opinions I'd rather care for myself. However, it is becoming increasingly hard because of the taxes, which approach (VAT and compulsory social security included) 80% average income in some countries (not only Sweden). And I must admit that the very idea of state employees in revenue or health control or employment office deeply caring for every person like they were near and dear is preposterous. Nevertheless, we are supposed to believe it.
The state is no different from us, it spends what it takes from us, it is as good/ bad or as fair or honest as the people are. Nonetheless, the idea of "welfare state" was designed so as to convince people the state is their protector and caregiver. This benevolent entity is supposed to secure just life for its people, provide health for them and their children and take care of their retirement. Obviously it won't or if it will than for a very short time and the price will be high.
Isn't it challenging to look at the state as we should look only at God, looking for an absolute where there is organization made by humans like us? Hoping for protection and caring and loving and understanding where there is only a legal concept and a redistribution system? Did people forfeited God for something like Babel tower where pride was speaking, trying to take place of Him?
I remember conversation God had with Samuel when Israel wanted the king "like all other nations" for the very first time. Was it a warning against what may happen when we will put man-created state at the place of God and sever links between creators (responsible citizens) and creation (state). It will never be an ideal. It can't, as we are not ideal as people and we can't create ideals. If we will take care of it with responsibility it may be good, but out of itself it will never be kind of dreamlike king or ideal community people seem to be seeking. It has no potential for it.
So let's not make God out of a state.
BTW Countries built from the bottom by citizens like Canada, Australia, the USA are more prone to this trend, apparently people still remember it is no absolute but their creation, loved and lovable, maybe,but as far from ideal as people.
And one of the greatest democracies is Israel when people still are very aware of the state's value (not 3 generations after countries they've been living in for centuries deprived them from protection or weren't able to offer it) but at the same time remember THEIR struggle for it and creating it, feel responsible and never (or nearly never) mistake it by something unearthly although it IS the only one promised by God.
Recently one very interesting and - in my opinion - pretty sad trend in Europe has emerged, showing what this 'anything' may look like. Europe becomes more and more non-religious and post-christian. For many native Europeans it is the matter of tradition (if anything at all), rather than living faith.
Nevertheless, in parallel with becoming less Christian and more (by immigration) Muslim there is yet another process in Europe, that started possibly some 80 years ago, accelerated after WWII and resembles, in many respects, religious beliefs.
It bears some similarity to a local version of cargo cults, which developed in Polynesia during WWII, where on certain little islands, never before touched by civilization, people were building models of planes (seen when army was using these islands) and subsequently burning them to bring new transports of chewing gum, cigarettes and chocolate.
It is the cult of the state as something external, omnipotent and caring for its subjects (or even loving them). As indispensable as it may be state is not an absolute being from other reality (as some Europeans feel) but something connecting us, for which we are responsible as a society.
It still isn't obvious for many that the only source of its income are taxes (so, basically, our money) and only so much can be spent for education, health, fighting unemployment, paying for agriculture (heavily subsidized), all the bureaucrats and social programs and whatever else the state is funding/ organizing/ taking care of (and, which is pretty worrisome, it is more and more hard to point anything the state isn't considering its duty to take care of, at least in Europe). Of course together with it it takes responsibility and blame for things done and not done.
More and more often one hears that the state has to teach citizens about the merit of something or another or how they are to bring up children, how to eat, how to (not) smoke or drink, what to believe in, what to consider right or wrong.
Together with these voices I hear how a state cares for us, well, being grown up and with my own views and opinions I'd rather care for myself. However, it is becoming increasingly hard because of the taxes, which approach (VAT and compulsory social security included) 80% average income in some countries (not only Sweden). And I must admit that the very idea of state employees in revenue or health control or employment office deeply caring for every person like they were near and dear is preposterous. Nevertheless, we are supposed to believe it.
The state is no different from us, it spends what it takes from us, it is as good/ bad or as fair or honest as the people are. Nonetheless, the idea of "welfare state" was designed so as to convince people the state is their protector and caregiver. This benevolent entity is supposed to secure just life for its people, provide health for them and their children and take care of their retirement. Obviously it won't or if it will than for a very short time and the price will be high.
Isn't it challenging to look at the state as we should look only at God, looking for an absolute where there is organization made by humans like us? Hoping for protection and caring and loving and understanding where there is only a legal concept and a redistribution system? Did people forfeited God for something like Babel tower where pride was speaking, trying to take place of Him?
I remember conversation God had with Samuel when Israel wanted the king "like all other nations" for the very first time. Was it a warning against what may happen when we will put man-created state at the place of God and sever links between creators (responsible citizens) and creation (state). It will never be an ideal. It can't, as we are not ideal as people and we can't create ideals. If we will take care of it with responsibility it may be good, but out of itself it will never be kind of dreamlike king or ideal community people seem to be seeking. It has no potential for it.
So let's not make God out of a state.
BTW Countries built from the bottom by citizens like Canada, Australia, the USA are more prone to this trend, apparently people still remember it is no absolute but their creation, loved and lovable, maybe,but as far from ideal as people.
And one of the greatest democracies is Israel when people still are very aware of the state's value (not 3 generations after countries they've been living in for centuries deprived them from protection or weren't able to offer it) but at the same time remember THEIR struggle for it and creating it, feel responsible and never (or nearly never) mistake it by something unearthly although it IS the only one promised by God.
Monday, 20 May 2013
A man who wasn't accused in Nuremberg trial (and should have been)
I would like to write something about a - a bit forgotten - man whose impact on history of few countries (and very destructive one) should be remembered, and whose trial in Nuremberg would not only have served justice but maybe (just maybe) could help to avoid or minimize (more probably) some wars.
The man is Mohamed Said Haj Amin al-Hussaini, Great Mufti of Jerusalem., at the beginning British friend, later British and Jewish mortal enemy, rabidly antisemitic, great friend of Hitler, ambitious and power-thirsty, not a stranger to killing his own brethren if it could give him gain.
Cruel, intelligent, brilliant manipulator, he started career as a Turkish soldier after quitting Muslim University in Cairo. He was also British spy during the I WW believing in British promise to create "huge independent Arab kingdom" given a little bit later than Balfour declaration. He probably believed Jerusalem would count in but possibly could pass it if not for the fact that in 1917 UK has ceased Syrian and Lebanese territory to French rule (and that was supposed to be territory for Arab kingdom). The pact was secret, signed in Moscow, but after taking power over by Bolsheviks it was made public and caused Haj Amin to turn against Great Britain. He returned to Jerusalem and started working on increasing anti-British and anti-Jewish feelings among Arabs. The first riots that were his doings started in 1920 and for his role in starting them he was sentenced for 10 years by British. He escaped to newly created Transjordan (being 80% of British mandate and - as an Arab wish granted by British - being out of Jewish limits, therefore being effectively this vast Arab kingdom).
In 1922 when former mufti of Jerusalem passed away British authorities had to nominate a new one. Haj Amin, young and not scholarly, was NOT on a short list of candidates, but aiming at turning their enemy into friend again British authorities nominated him after pardoning his sentence. The aim wasn't met.
For 6 years Haj Amin was gaining support. He didn't trust educated Arabs of higher class, instead he turned towards bazaars and villages to organize and turn fanatic masses. He was the spiritus movens of riots and pogroms in 1928 in Jrusalem and 1929 in Hebron and in 1936 he started Arab strikes and later anti-British riots that turned into domestic Arab war. Over 2,000 people among Arabs were killed by Haj Amin's orders. Mostly well educated, moderate Arabs (the main crime was to good knowledge of English) therefore taking such needed middle class for the stormy period of late 1940s.
Banned from British territory he found refuge in French Lebanon and - as from 1936 he had excellent relationships with German Nazis - after supporting Iraqi antibritish movement - he foundhome in Berlin.
He was great friend of Hitler, was sending Arabs as spies behind British lines in North Africa, was the one who helped to create 2 SS divisions among Balkan Muslims, was very well aware of ongoing Holocaust and in few instances helped to prevent the victims from escaping (e.g. 4,000 Jewish children from Bulgaria who could have reached Palestine if not for his intervention).
After war he was to take place among accused in Nuremberg but French, disappointed by their loosing Syria and Lebanon helped him to stay in France. When in 1946 American seconded British demands to hand him over he was discreetly helped to go to Cairo.
During Independence war in Israel he made sure as many Arab parties as possible are involved (for the sake of not only winning but also gaining power due to interarab disputes). In September 1948 he proclaimed Palestinian government which threatened Jordan's interest causing king Abdullah to order ceasing support for Arab Legion. As a revenge Haj Amin took part in 1951 assassination of king Abdullah.
After 1948 war he lived in Lebanon until his death in 1974. He was Yasir Arafat's uncle and declared patriotic symbol which says volumes (when you think about his Nazi past) about Palestinian authority origins.
The man is Mohamed Said Haj Amin al-Hussaini, Great Mufti of Jerusalem., at the beginning British friend, later British and Jewish mortal enemy, rabidly antisemitic, great friend of Hitler, ambitious and power-thirsty, not a stranger to killing his own brethren if it could give him gain.
Cruel, intelligent, brilliant manipulator, he started career as a Turkish soldier after quitting Muslim University in Cairo. He was also British spy during the I WW believing in British promise to create "huge independent Arab kingdom" given a little bit later than Balfour declaration. He probably believed Jerusalem would count in but possibly could pass it if not for the fact that in 1917 UK has ceased Syrian and Lebanese territory to French rule (and that was supposed to be territory for Arab kingdom). The pact was secret, signed in Moscow, but after taking power over by Bolsheviks it was made public and caused Haj Amin to turn against Great Britain. He returned to Jerusalem and started working on increasing anti-British and anti-Jewish feelings among Arabs. The first riots that were his doings started in 1920 and for his role in starting them he was sentenced for 10 years by British. He escaped to newly created Transjordan (being 80% of British mandate and - as an Arab wish granted by British - being out of Jewish limits, therefore being effectively this vast Arab kingdom).
In 1922 when former mufti of Jerusalem passed away British authorities had to nominate a new one. Haj Amin, young and not scholarly, was NOT on a short list of candidates, but aiming at turning their enemy into friend again British authorities nominated him after pardoning his sentence. The aim wasn't met.
For 6 years Haj Amin was gaining support. He didn't trust educated Arabs of higher class, instead he turned towards bazaars and villages to organize and turn fanatic masses. He was the spiritus movens of riots and pogroms in 1928 in Jrusalem and 1929 in Hebron and in 1936 he started Arab strikes and later anti-British riots that turned into domestic Arab war. Over 2,000 people among Arabs were killed by Haj Amin's orders. Mostly well educated, moderate Arabs (the main crime was to good knowledge of English) therefore taking such needed middle class for the stormy period of late 1940s.
Banned from British territory he found refuge in French Lebanon and - as from 1936 he had excellent relationships with German Nazis - after supporting Iraqi antibritish movement - he foundhome in Berlin.
He was great friend of Hitler, was sending Arabs as spies behind British lines in North Africa, was the one who helped to create 2 SS divisions among Balkan Muslims, was very well aware of ongoing Holocaust and in few instances helped to prevent the victims from escaping (e.g. 4,000 Jewish children from Bulgaria who could have reached Palestine if not for his intervention).
After war he was to take place among accused in Nuremberg but French, disappointed by their loosing Syria and Lebanon helped him to stay in France. When in 1946 American seconded British demands to hand him over he was discreetly helped to go to Cairo.
During Independence war in Israel he made sure as many Arab parties as possible are involved (for the sake of not only winning but also gaining power due to interarab disputes). In September 1948 he proclaimed Palestinian government which threatened Jordan's interest causing king Abdullah to order ceasing support for Arab Legion. As a revenge Haj Amin took part in 1951 assassination of king Abdullah.
After 1948 war he lived in Lebanon until his death in 1974. He was Yasir Arafat's uncle and declared patriotic symbol which says volumes (when you think about his Nazi past) about Palestinian authority origins.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Manipulation
Some sources published today that professor Stephan Hawking, British physicist, joined boycott of Israel and thus removed himself from attending conference in Israel in June this year. Later it was reported that his cancellation was purely for health reasons. Now it is claimed it was the boycott after all. The match is ongoing.
I just would like to remain that leading research center for inventing ALS (the disease Hawking is suffering from) cure is Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. And that as Hadassah medical director an Arab professor was just appointed last month.
Should Hawking go on with boycotting Israel (if this is really the cause of his cancellation) and give up on Israeli cures and medicines? I think in this situation he should!!!!
I just would like to remain that leading research center for inventing ALS (the disease Hawking is suffering from) cure is Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. And that as Hadassah medical director an Arab professor was just appointed last month.
Should Hawking go on with boycotting Israel (if this is really the cause of his cancellation) and give up on Israeli cures and medicines? I think in this situation he should!!!!
Thursday, 25 April 2013
How can it be called anything but Antisemitism?
In more than one country (including quite a few European ones unfortunately) there is strong movement of official, often state-sponsored bodies against Israel.
Often the members of such bodies say they are not Antisemitic but purely anti-Israeli, and anybody can criticize any country, isn't it so?
No, it isn't so obvious. Anybody can criticize any country (or rather its authorities) provided the facts are not distorted, the state is not singled out because of ethnicity/ religion, the boycott if one is proposed doesn't embrace all ideas/ products/ thoughts just because they are developed in this country, no matter what they present. And such is the case for Israel.
Last year the Scottish University of Dundee banned water from Eden Springs on the campus, because - it claimed - “it steals water from the Salukia spring in the occupied Syrian Golan, where it is bottled in the illegal Israeli settlement of Katzrin”.
Another Scottish provincial council near Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire, in 2011 prohibited the purchase of English translations of Israeli books and the distribution of these books in public libraries throughout the council's jurisdiction.
One's memory went back to the German spring of 1933, when students, professors and librarians worked on a list of “degenerate” Jewish books. The list included Stefan Zweig, Erich Maria Remarque, Thomas Mann and Heinrich Heine. In the largest event outside Berlin, 18,000 Jewish books were destroyed
It is two years since the Dunbartonshire Council prohibition made the headlines. What is the current status of Israeli books in the Scottish libraries?
The Dunbartonshire decision marks the first time that a region in Europe has been cleansed of the presence of Israeli books. It does not matter what ideas are contained in these books, it is the bare fact of their origin which is enough for them to be banned. It seems that the shocking announcement worked.
In the library’s catalogue, David Grossman appears with just two titles, bought before the banning edict; Amos Oz is present with two and Abraham Yehoshua with one, as are Nobel Laureate Shai Agnon and Yoram Kaniuk.
There are no entries at all for Batya Gur, Dorit Rabinyan, Sami Michael, Naomi Ragen (a U.S. born writer who lives in Israel), Yehuda Amichai, Orly Castel-Bloom, Dan Pagis, Emil Habibi and Michal Govrin.
I have already written about decision of Irish teachers' trade union to boycott Israel. Somebody might think there are no other countries for Scottish or Irish universities which may be problematic. They cooperate with China, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran - no hard feeling, nice democratic countries, ain't they?
So how is it that so many countries may call themselves Muslim or Christian (till very recently Catholic teaching was law in Ireland) but the single one in the whole world, one of the smallest existing that calls herself Jewish is scolded for it?
So how is it that the only democracy in Middle East is shown as cruel state (having Arab scientists, judges - including in Supreme Court or doctors - including new medical director of Hadassa Medical Center)? And countries persecuting women, Christians, Jews (or any non-Muslims for that matter, try being Catholic or Scotch Protestant in Saudi Arabia for example), homosexuals and teaching their children hatred and preaching destruction of this only one Jewish state are nice partners for those unis? (Dublin based RCSI cooperates with Bahrain for years including time when authorities was shooting protesters in the streets 2 years ago)?
So how is it that no cultural boycott was ever in existence against culture of one country per se (including apartheid South Africa where it was limited to state sponsored activities and even them not totally, and boycott was based on the thought behind it and not the citizenship of the author)? And there is and never was anything like apartheid in Israel.
How is it that continent with such shameful record in persecution of Jews, where still are people remembering burning Jewish books, burning Jewish shops and synagogues, burning PEOPLE themselves now turns Antisemitic again?
As it is not anti-Israeli because of sth. It is Antisemitic!!!!! Killing Palestinians by Syrians is fine, killing Christians in Egypt is fine, as in Nigeria, genocides in Somalia and Darfur were fine, Tibetan suffering is sad, but Chine is oh so great (and may punish Europe banning export of socks) and one tiny, democratic nation is the world's (and Scottish and Irish unis) greatest problem as it is Jewish nation?
It is pure Antisemitism like in time of black death, like in time of nationalism being born, like in time of II WW, just redressed.
Often the members of such bodies say they are not Antisemitic but purely anti-Israeli, and anybody can criticize any country, isn't it so?
No, it isn't so obvious. Anybody can criticize any country (or rather its authorities) provided the facts are not distorted, the state is not singled out because of ethnicity/ religion, the boycott if one is proposed doesn't embrace all ideas/ products/ thoughts just because they are developed in this country, no matter what they present. And such is the case for Israel.
Last year the Scottish University of Dundee banned water from Eden Springs on the campus, because - it claimed - “it steals water from the Salukia spring in the occupied Syrian Golan, where it is bottled in the illegal Israeli settlement of Katzrin”.
Another Scottish provincial council near Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire, in 2011 prohibited the purchase of English translations of Israeli books and the distribution of these books in public libraries throughout the council's jurisdiction.
One's memory went back to the German spring of 1933, when students, professors and librarians worked on a list of “degenerate” Jewish books. The list included Stefan Zweig, Erich Maria Remarque, Thomas Mann and Heinrich Heine. In the largest event outside Berlin, 18,000 Jewish books were destroyed
It is two years since the Dunbartonshire Council prohibition made the headlines. What is the current status of Israeli books in the Scottish libraries?
The Dunbartonshire decision marks the first time that a region in Europe has been cleansed of the presence of Israeli books. It does not matter what ideas are contained in these books, it is the bare fact of their origin which is enough for them to be banned. It seems that the shocking announcement worked.
In the library’s catalogue, David Grossman appears with just two titles, bought before the banning edict; Amos Oz is present with two and Abraham Yehoshua with one, as are Nobel Laureate Shai Agnon and Yoram Kaniuk.
There are no entries at all for Batya Gur, Dorit Rabinyan, Sami Michael, Naomi Ragen (a U.S. born writer who lives in Israel), Yehuda Amichai, Orly Castel-Bloom, Dan Pagis, Emil Habibi and Michal Govrin.
I have already written about decision of Irish teachers' trade union to boycott Israel. Somebody might think there are no other countries for Scottish or Irish universities which may be problematic. They cooperate with China, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran - no hard feeling, nice democratic countries, ain't they?
So how is it that so many countries may call themselves Muslim or Christian (till very recently Catholic teaching was law in Ireland) but the single one in the whole world, one of the smallest existing that calls herself Jewish is scolded for it?
So how is it that the only democracy in Middle East is shown as cruel state (having Arab scientists, judges - including in Supreme Court or doctors - including new medical director of Hadassa Medical Center)? And countries persecuting women, Christians, Jews (or any non-Muslims for that matter, try being Catholic or Scotch Protestant in Saudi Arabia for example), homosexuals and teaching their children hatred and preaching destruction of this only one Jewish state are nice partners for those unis? (Dublin based RCSI cooperates with Bahrain for years including time when authorities was shooting protesters in the streets 2 years ago)?
So how is it that no cultural boycott was ever in existence against culture of one country per se (including apartheid South Africa where it was limited to state sponsored activities and even them not totally, and boycott was based on the thought behind it and not the citizenship of the author)? And there is and never was anything like apartheid in Israel.
How is it that continent with such shameful record in persecution of Jews, where still are people remembering burning Jewish books, burning Jewish shops and synagogues, burning PEOPLE themselves now turns Antisemitic again?
As it is not anti-Israeli because of sth. It is Antisemitic!!!!! Killing Palestinians by Syrians is fine, killing Christians in Egypt is fine, as in Nigeria, genocides in Somalia and Darfur were fine, Tibetan suffering is sad, but Chine is oh so great (and may punish Europe banning export of socks) and one tiny, democratic nation is the world's (and Scottish and Irish unis) greatest problem as it is Jewish nation?
It is pure Antisemitism like in time of black death, like in time of nationalism being born, like in time of II WW, just redressed.
Wednesday, 17 April 2013
Rising in Warsaw ghetto
Tomorrow will be the 70th anniversary of the beginning og Warsaw ghetto rising.
The handful of Jews left after the majority was taken into death camps decided they want to die fighting. For a month the group of people who emerged from ghetto's 3-years hell, saw their community murdered and desperately lacked in weaponry fought against exclusively well trained and equipped army.
The report by Jurgen Stroop to Nazi authorities after the end of the rising, which served as a proof at his trial (Stroop was sentenced to death and hanged in Warsaw prison in 1952) will be published shortly.
Main celebrations will take place this Friday to Sunday.
I want us all to remember heroes of the Warsaw ghetto rising.
The handful of Jews left after the majority was taken into death camps decided they want to die fighting. For a month the group of people who emerged from ghetto's 3-years hell, saw their community murdered and desperately lacked in weaponry fought against exclusively well trained and equipped army.
The report by Jurgen Stroop to Nazi authorities after the end of the rising, which served as a proof at his trial (Stroop was sentenced to death and hanged in Warsaw prison in 1952) will be published shortly.
Main celebrations will take place this Friday to Sunday.
I want us all to remember heroes of the Warsaw ghetto rising.
Terrorism
Today I want to share with you somewhat more general reflection.
It considers Israel and Jewish communities around the world, but it considers us all, no matter who or where.
As throughout the years I have heard some most ridiculous opinions about terrorists (always in connection to one chosen example) from otherwise nice, helpful people I want to share my opinion here.
I will start with general things and only at the end put more emphasis on connections to Israel and Jewish communities.
Terrorism is really not so young as most people tend to think, it is old but the form and the intensity of it evolve. It is also connected to a crime as old as humankind - blackmail. It is threat to something valuable to the person/ group targeted in order to force him/ her/ them to behave in certain way.
At least that is how it started as things got worse.
Let's look at terrorism in kind of 'rational' way (yes, decision makers do it or so I suppose) - people who really are targeted are meaningless, the aim is fear and terror among survivors and specially intended persons (kings/ presidents/ governments/ company chairmen/ public opinion - you name it) in order to provoke certain behavior. So it is for - say - external market. For internal one it is showing the force of one's group of criminals and making publicity for oneself.
For example - communist terrorists (and there were many throughout XX century) were using terror to: grab the power (revolution in Russia was in February 1917, in October /or according to our calender in November/ it was coup d'etat), force Western countries into certain decisions or force them not to make/ apply them and on internal market it was way to induce fear so deep it made people helpless - purges were not for dead, they were means to achieve goal - terror among living stopping them from any kind of activity. And this proved successful.
So it was with IRA, ETA, Che Guevara guerrillas, Black September, Al-Qaeda, Hamas, Taliban, you name it.
Beside this crazy 'rationality' there is also pure hatred. The mechanism of terror in some circumstances is easy to create, and may be thought as some kind of rational warfare. It is always hard, nearly impossible to stop. That is so desperate. Once we create irrational hatred, dehumanize enemy (invented or real doesn't really matter), raise children in hatred, teach it - it is impossible to say: OK, no we change as we achieved what we wanted/ circumstances changed/ some other paths are more profitable. Any terrorist organization that would try to do it would be the first victim of the policy change. So it has to be continued, for inventors there is no other way of keeping power and popularity and sometimes even life, for those who were raised in it and for it it is the way of living, and as often they see the world in one dimension (like the servants of North Korean regime) they won't even see any other option, thus the point is reached in which terrorism claimed hostages on both sides.
I tried to picture it theoretically, so it may sound to you here and there as if I was trying to understand. And in a way I try as to know your enemy is wise, but I can think of nothing more abominable than terrorism!!!!! As what it really shows - always, no matter who, on which side, with what point of view and so on - is hatred and contempt for people (ALL people) and liberty. And those are values I cherish the most!
Let's start with liberty: ANY terrorist organization, ANYWHERE in the world believes it has the one and only recipe for the world. Be it communism, divided Ireland, united Ireland, divided Spain, united Spain, Islamism, Wahhabi doesn't matter. The recipe is: you are with us or we will kill you (and sometimes or at later stages if you are with us but not radically enough we will kill you). Simple: you, human beings are but small parts in our worldview, of no value and certainly not suppose to have any choice as to beliefs, point of view, friendships, thoughts even. Theoretically the one who described it best was George Orwell in 1984, unfortunately in reality whole communities were and are subjected to living in the world without freedom, where freedom is the most dangerous crime! To show few examples (contemporary, the past and present lists are long) so live people in North Korea, Cuba, Gaza (because of Hamas, nothing to do with Israel). But there are more.
As for people: people for terrorists are things. They have nothing but contempt for them. Some are enemies (be it Americans, Israelis, Jews, Christians, unionists, Protestants, Catholics, any others). Others are expendable. To hide behind one's own women and children is to show them contempt (think: ammunition and weaponry magazines in hospitals, schools, houses, it has been done), to aim at random people in terrorist attacks is to show them contempt (think about hostages on planes, participants of sport events like in Boston, people who may be victims of rockets fired from Gaza - may be Jews, may be Palestinians, tourists or even Hamas supporters from abroad, it is indiscriminate, think about children at school in Bieslan or Ma'alot). To go with explosives on one's own body in order to die killing is to show contempt for oneself and to order it to show contempt for one's own people! (children included).
So there is nothing but hatred and contempt in terrorism.
Sometimes terrorists are talked about or even written about in media as liberty fighters gone wrong. They are as far from it as can be. They are anti-liberty fighters perfectly successful and on the right track (from their point of view).
Also there is nothing about being poor in terrorism, it is always ideological or political. Few words were so connected as multimillionaire Osama ben-Laden. War is expensive, it may deprive people around of their resources but terrorists are usually well financed.
Now, when terror strikes Israel or Jews around the world (as it often unfortunately does) it is more than even repeated that perpetrators are terrorists but at the same time some kind of liberty fighters gone wrong (they repeat the world Palestine over and over). Read above and think: striking Jewish children at French school, striking civilians, Arabs and Jews alike, tourists sometimes with rockets from Gaza, striking Olympic team (Munich), striking children at school (Ma'alot) or Holocaust survivors at religious feast (Netanya), killing older American invalid on chair as he happened to be a Jew (Achille Lauro) - is this the fight for anything (but just killing)? Does it show interest in fighting for something or just shows contempt for people and will to kill them, dispose of them (same spirit Nazis have shown).
Jews and Israelis are one of main victims of terrorist activities, though at the same time one of the most experienced fighters of terrorism (out of necessity). But think please about Bieslan children in Georgia, Israeli children in Ma'alot, Boston marathon victims, victims of IRA, victims of Burma's terror against Muslims (there they are targeted more than average) and please remember: nothing in terrorism is and never was or will be about freedom fighting - unless it is fighting AGAINST freedom of every single one of us.
It considers Israel and Jewish communities around the world, but it considers us all, no matter who or where.
As throughout the years I have heard some most ridiculous opinions about terrorists (always in connection to one chosen example) from otherwise nice, helpful people I want to share my opinion here.
I will start with general things and only at the end put more emphasis on connections to Israel and Jewish communities.
Terrorism is really not so young as most people tend to think, it is old but the form and the intensity of it evolve. It is also connected to a crime as old as humankind - blackmail. It is threat to something valuable to the person/ group targeted in order to force him/ her/ them to behave in certain way.
At least that is how it started as things got worse.
Let's look at terrorism in kind of 'rational' way (yes, decision makers do it or so I suppose) - people who really are targeted are meaningless, the aim is fear and terror among survivors and specially intended persons (kings/ presidents/ governments/ company chairmen/ public opinion - you name it) in order to provoke certain behavior. So it is for - say - external market. For internal one it is showing the force of one's group of criminals and making publicity for oneself.
For example - communist terrorists (and there were many throughout XX century) were using terror to: grab the power (revolution in Russia was in February 1917, in October /or according to our calender in November/ it was coup d'etat), force Western countries into certain decisions or force them not to make/ apply them and on internal market it was way to induce fear so deep it made people helpless - purges were not for dead, they were means to achieve goal - terror among living stopping them from any kind of activity. And this proved successful.
So it was with IRA, ETA, Che Guevara guerrillas, Black September, Al-Qaeda, Hamas, Taliban, you name it.
Beside this crazy 'rationality' there is also pure hatred. The mechanism of terror in some circumstances is easy to create, and may be thought as some kind of rational warfare. It is always hard, nearly impossible to stop. That is so desperate. Once we create irrational hatred, dehumanize enemy (invented or real doesn't really matter), raise children in hatred, teach it - it is impossible to say: OK, no we change as we achieved what we wanted/ circumstances changed/ some other paths are more profitable. Any terrorist organization that would try to do it would be the first victim of the policy change. So it has to be continued, for inventors there is no other way of keeping power and popularity and sometimes even life, for those who were raised in it and for it it is the way of living, and as often they see the world in one dimension (like the servants of North Korean regime) they won't even see any other option, thus the point is reached in which terrorism claimed hostages on both sides.
I tried to picture it theoretically, so it may sound to you here and there as if I was trying to understand. And in a way I try as to know your enemy is wise, but I can think of nothing more abominable than terrorism!!!!! As what it really shows - always, no matter who, on which side, with what point of view and so on - is hatred and contempt for people (ALL people) and liberty. And those are values I cherish the most!
Let's start with liberty: ANY terrorist organization, ANYWHERE in the world believes it has the one and only recipe for the world. Be it communism, divided Ireland, united Ireland, divided Spain, united Spain, Islamism, Wahhabi doesn't matter. The recipe is: you are with us or we will kill you (and sometimes or at later stages if you are with us but not radically enough we will kill you). Simple: you, human beings are but small parts in our worldview, of no value and certainly not suppose to have any choice as to beliefs, point of view, friendships, thoughts even. Theoretically the one who described it best was George Orwell in 1984, unfortunately in reality whole communities were and are subjected to living in the world without freedom, where freedom is the most dangerous crime! To show few examples (contemporary, the past and present lists are long) so live people in North Korea, Cuba, Gaza (because of Hamas, nothing to do with Israel). But there are more.
As for people: people for terrorists are things. They have nothing but contempt for them. Some are enemies (be it Americans, Israelis, Jews, Christians, unionists, Protestants, Catholics, any others). Others are expendable. To hide behind one's own women and children is to show them contempt (think: ammunition and weaponry magazines in hospitals, schools, houses, it has been done), to aim at random people in terrorist attacks is to show them contempt (think about hostages on planes, participants of sport events like in Boston, people who may be victims of rockets fired from Gaza - may be Jews, may be Palestinians, tourists or even Hamas supporters from abroad, it is indiscriminate, think about children at school in Bieslan or Ma'alot). To go with explosives on one's own body in order to die killing is to show contempt for oneself and to order it to show contempt for one's own people! (children included).
So there is nothing but hatred and contempt in terrorism.
Sometimes terrorists are talked about or even written about in media as liberty fighters gone wrong. They are as far from it as can be. They are anti-liberty fighters perfectly successful and on the right track (from their point of view).
Also there is nothing about being poor in terrorism, it is always ideological or political. Few words were so connected as multimillionaire Osama ben-Laden. War is expensive, it may deprive people around of their resources but terrorists are usually well financed.
Now, when terror strikes Israel or Jews around the world (as it often unfortunately does) it is more than even repeated that perpetrators are terrorists but at the same time some kind of liberty fighters gone wrong (they repeat the world Palestine over and over). Read above and think: striking Jewish children at French school, striking civilians, Arabs and Jews alike, tourists sometimes with rockets from Gaza, striking Olympic team (Munich), striking children at school (Ma'alot) or Holocaust survivors at religious feast (Netanya), killing older American invalid on chair as he happened to be a Jew (Achille Lauro) - is this the fight for anything (but just killing)? Does it show interest in fighting for something or just shows contempt for people and will to kill them, dispose of them (same spirit Nazis have shown).
Jews and Israelis are one of main victims of terrorist activities, though at the same time one of the most experienced fighters of terrorism (out of necessity). But think please about Bieslan children in Georgia, Israeli children in Ma'alot, Boston marathon victims, victims of IRA, victims of Burma's terror against Muslims (there they are targeted more than average) and please remember: nothing in terrorism is and never was or will be about freedom fighting - unless it is fighting AGAINST freedom of every single one of us.
Monday, 15 April 2013
Jewish Motifs in Warsaw
From 23rd till 28th of April in Warsaw (cinema Muranow and the Museum of Polish Jews History) there will take place the 9th edition of Film Festival "Jewish Motifs".
Films which will be shown this year will be both fictional and documentary (among others the story of Hava Nagila song - on a lighter note or documentary about descendents of Nazi atrocities perpetrators on serious one).
Films will deal with history and contemporary live both in Israel and diaspora (showing e.g. Punk Jews - movie about punk subculture in Israel).
All the events are free of charge.
Welcome!
Films which will be shown this year will be both fictional and documentary (among others the story of Hava Nagila song - on a lighter note or documentary about descendents of Nazi atrocities perpetrators on serious one).
Films will deal with history and contemporary live both in Israel and diaspora (showing e.g. Punk Jews - movie about punk subculture in Israel).
All the events are free of charge.
Welcome!
Friday, 12 April 2013
How to boyctt Israel - a guide
As so many insist on boycotting Israeli products (lately as I wrote Irish Teachers' Union called for one) here is a guide how to do it properly. Maybe boycotters will stop using laptops, mobile phones and many medicines - after all one needs to suffer a little for one's principals, doesn't he?
So, here's a guide how to do it:
properly
So, here's a guide how to do it:
properly
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
The Teachers Union of Ireland propagates anti-Semitism
Teachers Union in Ireland support boycott of Israel regarding cultural and academic collaboration with Israel, including the exchange
of scientists, students and academic personalities, as well as all
cooperation in research programmes.
One could pile statistic upon statistic, but that would be a vain effort when it comes to minds like those of the members of the Teachers Union of Ireland, who voted unanimously on the boycott; not one soul had the wit or independence of mind to object or to question.
I am sorry about it as I loved Irish primary school which my son attended and he loved it too. But living in Dublin I could not help hearing antisemitic remarks in church (yes, I truly did, during the sermon!!!!!), seeing calling for boycott of Israel at the University, experiencing furious attacks on Israeli Film Festival (see my first entries)..... It was such a fresh air to be at Jewish Culture Festival in Kracow where everybody was having fun (the biggest one in Europe) or attending open lecture by professor Szewach Weiss in Warsaw, at street level, with open windows (summertime) while in Dublin I had to enter small festival through airport-like security (!!!!).
I met many fine people in Ireland, I spend few good years there so I'm even more sad reading it.
Mr. Roche, head of the union, pointed to the desperate situation of Palestinian education under occupation saying that: “Palestinians are struggling for the right to education under extremely difficult conditions. They are eager for it, as shown by the large numbers of students in third level education inside and outside the occupied Palestinian territories. Education has always been a target of the Israeli occupation….”A few facts. When Israel took over the West Bank in 1967 literacy was about 88 percent; now it is about 98 percent, according to UNICEF.
One could pile statistic upon statistic, but that would be a vain effort when it comes to minds like those of the members of the Teachers Union of Ireland, who voted unanimously on the boycott; not one soul had the wit or independence of mind to object or to question.
I am sorry about it as I loved Irish primary school which my son attended and he loved it too. But living in Dublin I could not help hearing antisemitic remarks in church (yes, I truly did, during the sermon!!!!!), seeing calling for boycott of Israel at the University, experiencing furious attacks on Israeli Film Festival (see my first entries)..... It was such a fresh air to be at Jewish Culture Festival in Kracow where everybody was having fun (the biggest one in Europe) or attending open lecture by professor Szewach Weiss in Warsaw, at street level, with open windows (summertime) while in Dublin I had to enter small festival through airport-like security (!!!!).
I met many fine people in Ireland, I spend few good years there so I'm even more sad reading it.
Sunday, 7 April 2013
Yom HaShoah
Tomorrow is the day - 27th of Nissan - of remembrance of Shoah. Many will be remembering whole villages and towns that disappeared... 6 million perished, 98% of European Jewry. And today so many know little or next to nothing about that history and still dare to trivialize it by naming this or that pitiful but incomparable happening "new holocaust". Very few stories in the whole history of mankind (harsh and cruel as it often was and is) might be put in any proximity to this long-lasting, cold, cruel, industrial and planned in detail story of murdering one people.
Many perished during WW II and all should be remembered but there were many cruel wars in history and as cruel as it sounds many will come (most unfortunately). But this was different - it was no war really, it was decision put into effect to annihilate one people. So much so that - as we learn today - in one Nazi 'scientific' center in occupied France 86 bodies of Jews - murdered for that very purpose - were examined and preserved to conduct research about the non-existing race (as it was soon to be according to Nazi planners)!
Tomorrow there will be candle-lightning, prayers, poetry, remembering in all aspects.
In Israel all entertainment will be hold for a day and at 10 AM a siren will sound making everybody stop, people and cars (including on highways), drivers and passengers alike will stand by their vehicles to commemorate those murdered.
Let us never forget them!
Here are wonderful words for the day by Canadian PM
Many perished during WW II and all should be remembered but there were many cruel wars in history and as cruel as it sounds many will come (most unfortunately). But this was different - it was no war really, it was decision put into effect to annihilate one people. So much so that - as we learn today - in one Nazi 'scientific' center in occupied France 86 bodies of Jews - murdered for that very purpose - were examined and preserved to conduct research about the non-existing race (as it was soon to be according to Nazi planners)!
Tomorrow there will be candle-lightning, prayers, poetry, remembering in all aspects.
In Israel all entertainment will be hold for a day and at 10 AM a siren will sound making everybody stop, people and cars (including on highways), drivers and passengers alike will stand by their vehicles to commemorate those murdered.
Let us never forget them!
Here are wonderful words for the day by Canadian PM
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Jobar synagogue has been destroyed
In Damascus, Syria, 3 days ago (I have been away for some time) an ancient, 2000 years old synagogue has been destroyed after being looted.
Of course that the most horrible in any war is evil and hurt done to people! But when we see (as with approximately the same age Buddha images destroyed by Taliban at the end of the last century) that places that survived hundreds and thousands years of viscous history (and for this synagogue built outside of borders of ancient Israel when her time before rebuilding in XX century was running short all the years have been viscous) and we witness their destruction in the time of - proclaimed, never really applied - respect for history, culture, architecture etc. it hurts!
Even more so when the object destroyed besides obvious for everybody historical and cultural value has religious value for many, has been approached with prayers in harts, with hopes of spiritual fulfilling, with feeling God inside.
Now it is gone and I may only share with you some pictures of the place nobody will ever see :(
Of course that the most horrible in any war is evil and hurt done to people! But when we see (as with approximately the same age Buddha images destroyed by Taliban at the end of the last century) that places that survived hundreds and thousands years of viscous history (and for this synagogue built outside of borders of ancient Israel when her time before rebuilding in XX century was running short all the years have been viscous) and we witness their destruction in the time of - proclaimed, never really applied - respect for history, culture, architecture etc. it hurts!
Even more so when the object destroyed besides obvious for everybody historical and cultural value has religious value for many, has been approached with prayers in harts, with hopes of spiritual fulfilling, with feeling God inside.
Now it is gone and I may only share with you some pictures of the place nobody will ever see :(
Thursday, 14 March 2013
16 days inprisonment for manslaughter in UK
provided you're a peer, politician and anti-Semite.
As could be proved.
This man obviously has delusions about politicians who should be protected against the law, able to break it and commit manslaughter without punishment. He also deeply believes that being Muslim equals being victim (even when one is a peer, multimillionaire and British politician) and Jews control media worldwide.
I'd say in 1930s there were lots of people in Europe sharing (or pretending to share) similar attitudes though they were unlike this House of Lords member. Some lords some house of lords :).
Until recently I thought the whole idea of EU was about those events never repeating again.
Now, when democracy is lacking in bureaucratic EU and when in the oldest democracy in Europe (as the story goes) members of House of Commons don't want to discuss with Israelis (aka Jews) (look at my earlier post) and members of House of Lords are openly questioning democracy, try to escape punishment for manslaughter (poor Slovakian guy, I hope his family brings the civil law suit against perpetrator) and offer as the story goes 10 million pounds for capturing the president of ally country I feel like the continent is once more doomed for disaster again.
As could be proved.
This man obviously has delusions about politicians who should be protected against the law, able to break it and commit manslaughter without punishment. He also deeply believes that being Muslim equals being victim (even when one is a peer, multimillionaire and British politician) and Jews control media worldwide.
I'd say in 1930s there were lots of people in Europe sharing (or pretending to share) similar attitudes though they were unlike this House of Lords member. Some lords some house of lords :).
Until recently I thought the whole idea of EU was about those events never repeating again.
Now, when democracy is lacking in bureaucratic EU and when in the oldest democracy in Europe (as the story goes) members of House of Commons don't want to discuss with Israelis (aka Jews) (look at my earlier post) and members of House of Lords are openly questioning democracy, try to escape punishment for manslaughter (poor Slovakian guy, I hope his family brings the civil law suit against perpetrator) and offer as the story goes 10 million pounds for capturing the president of ally country I feel like the continent is once more doomed for disaster again.
Monday, 11 March 2013
Let it NEVER repeat, will you?
I honestly don't know who was the first to say the famous sentence that those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it. I heard 3 (slightly different) versions claimed to come from 3 very different (though all well known) persons. So I will just leave out who saying only that yes, I agree that not learning from history has the terrible power to bring people to the same awful deeds.
It looks like Europe has learned nothing :(.
The II WW took 60 million human beings, many in Europe, 10% of them Jews and their story is more desperate than others as they didn't have to DO anything (including just bad luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time), murderers were actively looking for THEM to kill all - women, children, infants, elderly. That was the predominant difference between their fate and those of others attacked by Nazi regime. Yet all the continent suffered. It was just two generations ago. And now:
Austrians have all but forgot about past. About their enthusiasm for murderers, antisemitism, nearly unanimously support for them. But also about one of their leaders - opposing Nazis - who shot at the abdomen was dying begging for a priest (never receiving this consolation). Or maybe they have not and still they would like to have Hitler provided that this time he will keep the power longer (he had a chance, but for few mistakes that, thank goodness he made).
And what about Netherlands? The country Anne Frank came from? The country attacked ruthlessly by Nazis in 1940, whose inhabitants fought, worn yellow stars of David in the first moment after establishing ghetto in Amsterdam (as a sign of protest)? There were dark sides to this story, surely, but how can this country let her youths publicly praise genocide and Hitler now?
Somebody said that in early 30s it would have taken 6 policemen to get rid of Hitler, a decade later it took 60 million. It is kind of exaggeration, but thinking back about one dutiful (and this time maybe one should say "unfortunately") Irish gendarme serving in German army in 20s, who informed that some petty corporal is delivering political speech in the bar and is about to be lynched harried to the scene to bring back order. Yes, you guessed properly who the corporal was, and yes, he was very unpopular at that moment, but crisis, repeating his madness and few other factors brought change.
In 1933 Polish state leader, Pilsudski, proposed to France to conduct per-emptive strike on Nazi regime to stop the road to another war, but France, still mourning Verdun victims, refused.
It was the un-learnt lesson from I WW. The II WW was way more bloody and brutal. Are we now, in Europe, ignoring this lesson to find just one more time? Hope not, but the voice of those who hear the warning has to be heard NOW, as all it takes for evil things to come is for good people to do nothing.
It looks like Europe has learned nothing :(.
The II WW took 60 million human beings, many in Europe, 10% of them Jews and their story is more desperate than others as they didn't have to DO anything (including just bad luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time), murderers were actively looking for THEM to kill all - women, children, infants, elderly. That was the predominant difference between their fate and those of others attacked by Nazi regime. Yet all the continent suffered. It was just two generations ago. And now:
Austrians have all but forgot about past. About their enthusiasm for murderers, antisemitism, nearly unanimously support for them. But also about one of their leaders - opposing Nazis - who shot at the abdomen was dying begging for a priest (never receiving this consolation). Or maybe they have not and still they would like to have Hitler provided that this time he will keep the power longer (he had a chance, but for few mistakes that, thank goodness he made).
And what about Netherlands? The country Anne Frank came from? The country attacked ruthlessly by Nazis in 1940, whose inhabitants fought, worn yellow stars of David in the first moment after establishing ghetto in Amsterdam (as a sign of protest)? There were dark sides to this story, surely, but how can this country let her youths publicly praise genocide and Hitler now?
Somebody said that in early 30s it would have taken 6 policemen to get rid of Hitler, a decade later it took 60 million. It is kind of exaggeration, but thinking back about one dutiful (and this time maybe one should say "unfortunately") Irish gendarme serving in German army in 20s, who informed that some petty corporal is delivering political speech in the bar and is about to be lynched harried to the scene to bring back order. Yes, you guessed properly who the corporal was, and yes, he was very unpopular at that moment, but crisis, repeating his madness and few other factors brought change.
In 1933 Polish state leader, Pilsudski, proposed to France to conduct per-emptive strike on Nazi regime to stop the road to another war, but France, still mourning Verdun victims, refused.
It was the un-learnt lesson from I WW. The II WW was way more bloody and brutal. Are we now, in Europe, ignoring this lesson to find just one more time? Hope not, but the voice of those who hear the warning has to be heard NOW, as all it takes for evil things to come is for good people to do nothing.
Friday, 8 March 2013
UN verifies BBC's story
Lots of us remember for sure the tragic story of 11-month old baby killed by rocket in Gaza in November 2012. The story made all the headlines as the baby was the son of BBC's reporter Jihad Masharavi, Omar.
But due to the effort of BBC watch the report was laboriously verified and... proved wrong by UN commission.
Here is the link to UN report according to which (stated at page 14) the baby and other civilian were killed on the day and spot given by BBC by HAMAS rocket meant for Israeli civilians but which - due to technical issues - fell on Gaza territory.
One of the comments you may read here.
There is no undoing damage done to Israel by BBC in November but I wish they would at least give the correct information and apology now. I know i is expecting to much - the once honest and good media station to admit false reporting and biased accusing still I want as many as possible to know the true story.
So share please!!!!!!
But due to the effort of BBC watch the report was laboriously verified and... proved wrong by UN commission.
Here is the link to UN report according to which (stated at page 14) the baby and other civilian were killed on the day and spot given by BBC by HAMAS rocket meant for Israeli civilians but which - due to technical issues - fell on Gaza territory.
One of the comments you may read here.
There is no undoing damage done to Israel by BBC in November but I wish they would at least give the correct information and apology now. I know i is expecting to much - the once honest and good media station to admit false reporting and biased accusing still I want as many as possible to know the true story.
So share please!!!!!!
Saturday, 23 February 2013
Celebrating with joy :)
The Purim is celebrated, across Israel, across Jewish communities in the world.
I want to share with you some of the pics of pure joy of Purim :)
Hope you will enjoy:
resembling carnival in Rio
my favorite
this looks like from USA's Christmas Parade
child in orthodox neighborhood
cute ETs?
who said Frankestein has passed away?
Persia a bit different way ;)
hitch-hiking? ;)
what fun it is for children
as everywhere.....
I want to share with you some of the pics of pure joy of Purim :)
Hope you will enjoy:
Thursday, 21 February 2013
British MP proves to be racist
true face of the British MP
Oxford is one of the oldest working universities in the world. It is believed to stand for debate and freedom of speech. Yet British MP George Galloway, already banned from entering Canada for supporting Hamas, stormed out of debate over Israeli-Palestinian conflict at Christ Church college in Oxford after beginning of the speech of his opponent, third year student Aslan-Levy. British MP asked: "Are you Israeli?" and after receiving confirmation he gathered his belongings and saying "I don't discuss with Israelis" left the building to amazement of shocked audience.
Well, the MP of, presumably, democratic state apparently cannot stand that somebody may not agree with him. The Parliament Member proved to be against debate and hearing both sides. European politician is praising Hamas declared to be terrorist organization by EU.
Here you may see him praising Hamas .
No wonder Israeli or Jewish students at British universities have been in trouble lately (or not only lately) even if they are British for generations. The example is set by MP members obviously.
I wouldn't be much surprised to hear MP Galloway will propose throwing Jews from UK as they were thrown from England in 1290, or banning Judaism, or supporting officially Hamas. I am only surprised that he uses democracy he so viciously hates, just like the free debate that is among its sources.
Oxford is one of the oldest working universities in the world. It is believed to stand for debate and freedom of speech. Yet British MP George Galloway, already banned from entering Canada for supporting Hamas, stormed out of debate over Israeli-Palestinian conflict at Christ Church college in Oxford after beginning of the speech of his opponent, third year student Aslan-Levy. British MP asked: "Are you Israeli?" and after receiving confirmation he gathered his belongings and saying "I don't discuss with Israelis" left the building to amazement of shocked audience.
Well, the MP of, presumably, democratic state apparently cannot stand that somebody may not agree with him. The Parliament Member proved to be against debate and hearing both sides. European politician is praising Hamas declared to be terrorist organization by EU.
Here you may see him praising Hamas .
No wonder Israeli or Jewish students at British universities have been in trouble lately (or not only lately) even if they are British for generations. The example is set by MP members obviously.
I wouldn't be much surprised to hear MP Galloway will propose throwing Jews from UK as they were thrown from England in 1290, or banning Judaism, or supporting officially Hamas. I am only surprised that he uses democracy he so viciously hates, just like the free debate that is among its sources.
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
The difference in approach
There has been published a photo of Palestinian boy seen through cross-hairs of sniper's riffle on Instagram page. The first media to publish the story was Israeli one. Several hours later it is in most papers I took the trouble to look and of course with a lot of outrage.
There should never be such a photo made and investigation into the matter (already started) is necessary.
Yet I can't help but compare this situation, outrageous as it is, with authorities opening inquiry and Israeli media writing about it with the conduct of Palestinian authorities naming streets, squares or schools after terrorists, paying rents to families of terrorists doing their time in Israeli prisons or to the families of suicide-bombers (quite often money that are given to them as humanitarian help). Who praise and glorify killing of Jews.
There is no country, territory or nation always righteous, 100% good. Maybe in some worse fairy tales ;). The test of peace-inclination or democratization or equality is how law and authorities treat people.
Are they equal in the eyes of law? May they study, work, pay equal taxes, be protected by police? Will their crimes and misconducts be treated seriously or will it depend against whom they were aimed?
Israel gives equal rights to all her citizens and treats crimes against Arabs just as one against Jews, against Christians just as those against Haredim and so on.
PA authorities call for Jew-free Palestine, call for murder of Jews, praise terrorists and pay them good money.
Yet it is Israeli authorities that get bad opinion and are harassed by media.
Just a reflection.....
There should never be such a photo made and investigation into the matter (already started) is necessary.
Yet I can't help but compare this situation, outrageous as it is, with authorities opening inquiry and Israeli media writing about it with the conduct of Palestinian authorities naming streets, squares or schools after terrorists, paying rents to families of terrorists doing their time in Israeli prisons or to the families of suicide-bombers (quite often money that are given to them as humanitarian help). Who praise and glorify killing of Jews.
There is no country, territory or nation always righteous, 100% good. Maybe in some worse fairy tales ;). The test of peace-inclination or democratization or equality is how law and authorities treat people.
Are they equal in the eyes of law? May they study, work, pay equal taxes, be protected by police? Will their crimes and misconducts be treated seriously or will it depend against whom they were aimed?
Israel gives equal rights to all her citizens and treats crimes against Arabs just as one against Jews, against Christians just as those against Haredim and so on.
PA authorities call for Jew-free Palestine, call for murder of Jews, praise terrorists and pay them good money.
Yet it is Israeli authorities that get bad opinion and are harassed by media.
Just a reflection.....
Monday, 18 February 2013
Blood libel - is it REALLY a history of the past?
The false accusation of Jews stating that they use Christian children's blood to produce matzos for Passover was originally invented, as far as we can nowadays state, in 1144 in England. It was concocted after the death by stabbing of a local boy, William of Norwich. Later on it was given, as a phenomenon, the name 'blood libel' and remained as such in history.
As a consequence pogroms in York and London followed and even 2 years ago DNA tests confirmed that members of one, Jewish family were pushed to their deaths into the well in Norwich around that time (the remains were uncovered and examined recently). Also, the cult of William, who was declared saint, followed.
And thus from possible explanation for murder plotted by cunning murderer looking for scape goats and antisemitism of 12th century England (in 13th century Jews were expelled for long ages) the blood libel was created.
For centuries it was often recalled and used against Jewish communities, until 16th century mostly in Western Europe, later on more often in Eastern one.
By the 20th century few probably believed it but it proved to be such a good antisemitic tool creating strong emotions that it was used by some repeatedly.
For example on the 1 May 1934, Der Sturmer, the most viscous antisemitic paper in Nazi Germany, published big cartoon with the headline 'THE JEWISH MURDER PLOT AGAINST NON-JEWISH HUMANITY IS UNCOVERED'. The picture presented two particularly hideous looking Jews holding a vessel to collect the blood streaming from the naked bodies of just murdered by them angelic Christian children.
Not surprising at the time in this particular paper!
Sometime during the history (possibly in crusaders time) blood libel made its way to Middle East and was occasionally popular among Arabs there but never to the same extent as it was in Middle Ages in Europe, however the denial of its truth publicly made by Suleiman the Great signalizes it was well known. It was behind the Damascus affair and big pogrom of 1840.Yet the big revival in Arab world of this accusation invented in 12th century England happened after the II WW. Today it is often publicized in many ME countries as a fact (sic!!!!!!). For example in an address that aired on Al-Aqsa TV a Hamas run TV station in Gaza, on March 31, 2010, Salah Sultan, founder of the American Centre for Islamic Research in Columbus, Ohio, the Islamic American University in Southfield, Michigan and the Sultan Publishing Co. and described in 2005 as "one of America's most noted Muslim scholars," alleged that Jews kidnap Christians and others in order to slaughter them and use their blood for making matzos. Sultan, who is currently a lecturer of Muslim jurisprudence at the Cairo University stated that: "The Zionists kidnap several non-Muslims – Christians and others... this happened in a Jewish neighborhood in Damascus. They killed the French doctor, Toma, who used to treat the Jews and others for free, in order to spread Christianity. Even though he was their friend and they benefited from him the most, they took him on one of these holidays and slaughtered him, along with the nurse. Then they kneaded the matzos with the blood of Dr. Toma and his nurse. They do this every year. The world must know these facts about the Zionist entity and its terrible corrupt creed. The world should know this." (Translation by the Middle East Media Research Institute)
Horrible as it seems blood libel is taught to some Muslim children in the contemporary Middle East.
You would have thought it has vanished from 21st century Europe, wouldn't you?
Yet, it is not exactly true. In the UK, where once it was invented, blood libel was revived once again in the form - given slightly changed realities - nearly exact to the one used by Der Sturmer.
On the International Holocaust Remembrance Day this year Sunday Times in UK published cartoon drawn by Gerald Scarfe presenting PM Netanyahu building wall with bricks connected by Palestinian blood.
Some ask what the fuss is about? It was a joke. Yet in relation to a country that is constantly threatened by its neighbors as destined for annihilation, in relation to people who were nearly extinguished in Europe just 70 years ago, and on the very day when there was the remembrance day about this genocide; in a country that invented blood libel and whose PM of a war time (with all due respect to his brave deeds and decisions) when asked by desperate for war material Nazis for 10,000 trucks in exchange for a million Jews refused to negotiate the deal responding "What would I do with one million Jews? Where would I put them?"is a very bad joke.
As a consequence pogroms in York and London followed and even 2 years ago DNA tests confirmed that members of one, Jewish family were pushed to their deaths into the well in Norwich around that time (the remains were uncovered and examined recently). Also, the cult of William, who was declared saint, followed.
And thus from possible explanation for murder plotted by cunning murderer looking for scape goats and antisemitism of 12th century England (in 13th century Jews were expelled for long ages) the blood libel was created.
For centuries it was often recalled and used against Jewish communities, until 16th century mostly in Western Europe, later on more often in Eastern one.
By the 20th century few probably believed it but it proved to be such a good antisemitic tool creating strong emotions that it was used by some repeatedly.
For example on the 1 May 1934, Der Sturmer, the most viscous antisemitic paper in Nazi Germany, published big cartoon with the headline 'THE JEWISH MURDER PLOT AGAINST NON-JEWISH HUMANITY IS UNCOVERED'. The picture presented two particularly hideous looking Jews holding a vessel to collect the blood streaming from the naked bodies of just murdered by them angelic Christian children.
Not surprising at the time in this particular paper!
Sometime during the history (possibly in crusaders time) blood libel made its way to Middle East and was occasionally popular among Arabs there but never to the same extent as it was in Middle Ages in Europe, however the denial of its truth publicly made by Suleiman the Great signalizes it was well known. It was behind the Damascus affair and big pogrom of 1840.Yet the big revival in Arab world of this accusation invented in 12th century England happened after the II WW. Today it is often publicized in many ME countries as a fact (sic!!!!!!). For example in an address that aired on Al-Aqsa TV a Hamas run TV station in Gaza, on March 31, 2010, Salah Sultan, founder of the American Centre for Islamic Research in Columbus, Ohio, the Islamic American University in Southfield, Michigan and the Sultan Publishing Co. and described in 2005 as "one of America's most noted Muslim scholars," alleged that Jews kidnap Christians and others in order to slaughter them and use their blood for making matzos. Sultan, who is currently a lecturer of Muslim jurisprudence at the Cairo University stated that: "The Zionists kidnap several non-Muslims – Christians and others... this happened in a Jewish neighborhood in Damascus. They killed the French doctor, Toma, who used to treat the Jews and others for free, in order to spread Christianity. Even though he was their friend and they benefited from him the most, they took him on one of these holidays and slaughtered him, along with the nurse. Then they kneaded the matzos with the blood of Dr. Toma and his nurse. They do this every year. The world must know these facts about the Zionist entity and its terrible corrupt creed. The world should know this." (Translation by the Middle East Media Research Institute)
Horrible as it seems blood libel is taught to some Muslim children in the contemporary Middle East.
You would have thought it has vanished from 21st century Europe, wouldn't you?
Yet, it is not exactly true. In the UK, where once it was invented, blood libel was revived once again in the form - given slightly changed realities - nearly exact to the one used by Der Sturmer.
On the International Holocaust Remembrance Day this year Sunday Times in UK published cartoon drawn by Gerald Scarfe presenting PM Netanyahu building wall with bricks connected by Palestinian blood.
Some ask what the fuss is about? It was a joke. Yet in relation to a country that is constantly threatened by its neighbors as destined for annihilation, in relation to people who were nearly extinguished in Europe just 70 years ago, and on the very day when there was the remembrance day about this genocide; in a country that invented blood libel and whose PM of a war time (with all due respect to his brave deeds and decisions) when asked by desperate for war material Nazis for 10,000 trucks in exchange for a million Jews refused to negotiate the deal responding "What would I do with one million Jews? Where would I put them?"is a very bad joke.
Sunday, 17 February 2013
Purim
This coming Saturday there will start Purim (at sundown).
Purim is a holiday rooted in the Book of Esther, when Persian Jews were threatened by genocide and saved by the intervention of beautiful Jewish queen.
It is very special book. The only one of Biblical books where the name of God is not mentioned. Yet He is omnipresent. Starting with Washti ceasing to be a queen after she refuses to show herself naked (as many Biblical scholars claim) before pure masculine and very drank king's party serving effectively as king's prey. She did right yet she ceased to be a queen. But the purpose might be to let Esther become queen.
When Jews are threatened by immediate danger Esther is horrified by the perspective of going to king without being fetched by him. It is masculine world and she is but one of his many women even if a queen. Yet Achashwerosh (by some scholars believed to be Xerxes I) admits her. But earlier there is a passage about responsibility towards group and loyalty towards group and single member - Esther fasts and with her fast all Jews. It is also about our destiny and free will. Esther may choose to do nothing yet Mordecai reminds her that this plight might be the exact reason why she became queen in the first place. We have a free will and choice to cooperate with God or not. Yet this choice has its consequences for us.
We don't get to choose the time we live in but we are hold responsible for what we do with this time.
Purim is very joyful holiday. Children put on costumes (it is sometimes called Jewish festival), everybody is enjoying themselves. Children are given small presents and adults are allowed to drink more than usually. Oh, and there are served wonderful little cookies - Hamantaschen (ears of Haman) - with different fillings made of prunes, nuts, fruit, poppy seeds or almonds an raisins. Some families have recipes for those fillings going from generation to generation.
HAPPY PURIM TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE!
Purim is a holiday rooted in the Book of Esther, when Persian Jews were threatened by genocide and saved by the intervention of beautiful Jewish queen.
It is very special book. The only one of Biblical books where the name of God is not mentioned. Yet He is omnipresent. Starting with Washti ceasing to be a queen after she refuses to show herself naked (as many Biblical scholars claim) before pure masculine and very drank king's party serving effectively as king's prey. She did right yet she ceased to be a queen. But the purpose might be to let Esther become queen.
When Jews are threatened by immediate danger Esther is horrified by the perspective of going to king without being fetched by him. It is masculine world and she is but one of his many women even if a queen. Yet Achashwerosh (by some scholars believed to be Xerxes I) admits her. But earlier there is a passage about responsibility towards group and loyalty towards group and single member - Esther fasts and with her fast all Jews. It is also about our destiny and free will. Esther may choose to do nothing yet Mordecai reminds her that this plight might be the exact reason why she became queen in the first place. We have a free will and choice to cooperate with God or not. Yet this choice has its consequences for us.
We don't get to choose the time we live in but we are hold responsible for what we do with this time.
Purim is very joyful holiday. Children put on costumes (it is sometimes called Jewish festival), everybody is enjoying themselves. Children are given small presents and adults are allowed to drink more than usually. Oh, and there are served wonderful little cookies - Hamantaschen (ears of Haman) - with different fillings made of prunes, nuts, fruit, poppy seeds or almonds an raisins. Some families have recipes for those fillings going from generation to generation.
HAPPY PURIM TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE!
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Story of one intervention
There are many stories about relations between Israelis and Palestinians. Some are really horrible, some sad, some funny, some give hope.
Let me share with you one recent, hope-giving story:
13-years-old boy in a very serious condition (kidneys and lung serious problems) was in the hospital in Yenin (PA territory, West Bank). His condition was life-threatening and possibilities of help in this hospital were slim. What did his mother and doctors do? They called Israeli Army. The army did in fact send ambulance that took this boy to hospital in Haifa. He is improving.
In the ambulance there were three soldiers: Jew, Druize and Christian.
Only in Israel!!!!!! :)
Let me share with you one recent, hope-giving story:
13-years-old boy in a very serious condition (kidneys and lung serious problems) was in the hospital in Yenin (PA territory, West Bank). His condition was life-threatening and possibilities of help in this hospital were slim. What did his mother and doctors do? They called Israeli Army. The army did in fact send ambulance that took this boy to hospital in Haifa. He is improving.
In the ambulance there were three soldiers: Jew, Druize and Christian.
Only in Israel!!!!!! :)
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
There are different WALLS
After beginning of second intifada, due to growing number of suicide terrorist attacks Israel built the wall between PA territory and Israeli territory. The number of suicide terrorist attacks dropped by 90%!!!!!! How many lives were saved! It should be praised (yes, drastic measure BUT living in country whose residents and guests are under constant threat wouldn't you love to make your children safer? To protect some at least against hatred so condescend that calling for killing anybody: child, elderly, women or even peace supporters just being in the wrong place? Anybody providing most will be Jews? THAT speaks volumes about hatred!!!!!!!
And yet THIS particular wall has been since the constant topic of condemnation by different activists. Why? Because it saves Jewish lives? Because it makes it harder for Arab terrorists to fight with Israel (something supported by those activists and large piece of media at least in Europe notto mention some politicians)?
After all there are many walls in the world on borders. You probably haven't heard about most! So, as they say a picture says more than thousand words let me tell you a little story in pictures:
Here is US-Mexico border wall:
Here is Greece-Turkey wall:
Both built and designed to control illegal immigration working on black market, saving some tax-dollars (euros) certainly not human life, none questioned by EU, UN or significant number of any activists.
Here is wall between India and Pakistan (both nuclear weapon possessing):
Here is wall between North and South Korea:
Here, finally is what wall between PA and Israel protects against and the graph (last picture) showing decrease in suicide-terror attacks:
We say human life is priceless. I happen to agree and believe in it. And this is THE ONLY of walls on borders that actually protects it. And this is the most viciously attacked one! I hope you believe in protecting life as well. Lives of people in Israel, the country her neighbors constantly call to destroy and murder all Jewish inhabitants, have to be protected. I believe more than work-market and tax-money in EU or US come to this.
If you agree please share as wide as possible.
THANK YOU!
And yet THIS particular wall has been since the constant topic of condemnation by different activists. Why? Because it saves Jewish lives? Because it makes it harder for Arab terrorists to fight with Israel (something supported by those activists and large piece of media at least in Europe notto mention some politicians)?
After all there are many walls in the world on borders. You probably haven't heard about most! So, as they say a picture says more than thousand words let me tell you a little story in pictures:
Here is US-Mexico border wall:
Here is Greece-Turkey wall:
Here is wall between India and Pakistan (both nuclear weapon possessing):
If you agree please share as wide as possible.
THANK YOU!
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