It is sad when one has to give up on the country one grew up in.
And not because he/ she left this country - we all sometimes do for various reasons, and than sometimes come back, sometimes visit and sometimes just keep in nice memories. Simply because we feel unaccepted in it. We feel we do not belong there any more (though we used to). That was (and is) the fate of many refugees from countries that underwent radical changes.
It is also sometimes the effect of some political global or regional changes (like the fate of Jewish refugees from Arab countries after 1948).
Yet we usually presume that apart from individual choices these feelings and struggles omit developed, Western countries. After all they are supposed to be democratic, based on civil rights, usually with many minorities (ethnic, religious and so on) so why would anybody felt unwelcome, not belonging, excluded?
Well, there is a group of people feeling more and more out of place in Western European countries. They are afraid to be recognized, they feel not belonging because of the constant critics of their religion and ethnicity, they feel more and more vulnerable with the most painful and so recent moment of their history being pushed out of schools, with their children attending schools slowly reminiscent of strongholds, with their often taking care not to be recognized, with their feeling of being voiceless as nobody is willing to hear their story.
They are Jewish people.
And the above linked history from Sweden shows how it happens...
Here is a slightly different one from American campus. And it is saddening. If we can't protect small and peaceful minority against accusations, aggression and lack of belonging what is our system worth, is it already an illusion of society based on equal rights of all?
Sunday 14 December 2014
Sunday 23 November 2014
Graet Pat Condell!!!! And not only...
Here is the really great Pat Condell in his
new piece
I couldn't agree more. He is - unfortunately - ABSOLUTELY right. I believe Western patronizing of Arabs (Palestinians in particular) is the leftover after so cursed officially colonialism. And they can and should be hold accountable to the same standard as the rest of the world and treated accordingly. Than maybe we would have the blame put where it belongs - on Palestinian leaders.
Here is another great article on this subject - please have a look.
I really believe these two links are very, very important.
Thursday 20 November 2014
Media reaction to the attack
In the aftermath of the horrible synagogue attack most media that reported it did it seriously and with little bias, later on some things were changed. But few of the media did extremely lousy job showing their bias and attitude towards Israel I suppose.
One of the worst examples was, I presume, CNN. Let the pictures tell the story...
No wonder sometimes people have so distorted views of what is going on in Israel, if they rely on media coverage, it is often not very far from such reporting of 9/11 as on this mem
And in Gaza sweets were being given in the streets and crowds rejoicing, just like after 9/11. Let me remind you that Hamas is (officially) part of the unity government now. Supported by so many in Europe.
The most shocking is the reaction of cartoonists in Palestinian territory. Instruction for the children? If so I prey never to meet them. And it matters not who you are or are not for people trained from childhood to hate and kill. It is simply abusing children and creating horrible future for all.
One of the worst examples was, I presume, CNN. Let the pictures tell the story...
No wonder sometimes people have so distorted views of what is going on in Israel, if they rely on media coverage, it is often not very far from such reporting of 9/11 as on this mem
And in Gaza sweets were being given in the streets and crowds rejoicing, just like after 9/11. Let me remind you that Hamas is (officially) part of the unity government now. Supported by so many in Europe.
The most shocking is the reaction of cartoonists in Palestinian territory. Instruction for the children? If so I prey never to meet them. And it matters not who you are or are not for people trained from childhood to hate and kill. It is simply abusing children and creating horrible future for all.
Tuesday 18 November 2014
Attack
It is with extremely heavy heart that I write here today.
This morning inBnei Torah synagogue in West Jerusalem's district of Har Nof four people had been killed and eight wounded. They all have committed apparently the same crime: they were Jewish.
Two cousins from East Jerusalem - Ghassan and Uday Abu Jamal - have decided that their political views or faith or their nationalism requires them to slaughter others.
Just imagine going for prayer (if you sometimes go) to whatever place it is that you go and being attacked with axe or gun (both were used today) for the simple fact of being Hispanic/ African/ Asian/ Caucasian/ Christian/ Hindu/ Buddhist - you name it. Imagine somebody going for your child or family with an axe for this simple reason that you are who you are, no matter what your views are, they don't ask (of course killing for views is equally repulsive but here we don't even have this element). You are not human to your attacker, you are alien who needs to be killed with your women and children.
I want you to understand this and imagine the picture after such attack, and think how would you describe somebody behaving in this way.
There were times not long ago in Europe when Jews were killed simply for being Jews - in the streets of occupied cities, in ghettos, in gas chambers; 98% of them have been killed out of these living in Europe. I see no difference between gestapo or SS killing Jewish child for not stepping out of pavement on ghetto and such Palestinian terrorists. There is none.
And I see no difference between Hamas, Hezbollah or terrorists from West Bank covered often by Fatah and Nazi regime.
When Nazis entered Amsterdam and ordered Jews to wear Stars of David the next day big part of the population of Amsterdam appeared wearing them.
I wish and I dream (like Dr Martin Luther Jr had once had his dream) that we will all go in a march supporting these slaughtered for being Jewish.
As today all I wish to say except giving my condolences to families is this: I AM JEWISH!
chain of Israeli youth after the attack
This morning inBnei Torah synagogue in West Jerusalem's district of Har Nof four people had been killed and eight wounded. They all have committed apparently the same crime: they were Jewish.
Two cousins from East Jerusalem - Ghassan and Uday Abu Jamal - have decided that their political views or faith or their nationalism requires them to slaughter others.
Just imagine going for prayer (if you sometimes go) to whatever place it is that you go and being attacked with axe or gun (both were used today) for the simple fact of being Hispanic/ African/ Asian/ Caucasian/ Christian/ Hindu/ Buddhist - you name it. Imagine somebody going for your child or family with an axe for this simple reason that you are who you are, no matter what your views are, they don't ask (of course killing for views is equally repulsive but here we don't even have this element). You are not human to your attacker, you are alien who needs to be killed with your women and children.
I want you to understand this and imagine the picture after such attack, and think how would you describe somebody behaving in this way.
There were times not long ago in Europe when Jews were killed simply for being Jews - in the streets of occupied cities, in ghettos, in gas chambers; 98% of them have been killed out of these living in Europe. I see no difference between gestapo or SS killing Jewish child for not stepping out of pavement on ghetto and such Palestinian terrorists. There is none.
And I see no difference between Hamas, Hezbollah or terrorists from West Bank covered often by Fatah and Nazi regime.
When Nazis entered Amsterdam and ordered Jews to wear Stars of David the next day big part of the population of Amsterdam appeared wearing them.
I wish and I dream (like Dr Martin Luther Jr had once had his dream) that we will all go in a march supporting these slaughtered for being Jewish.
As today all I wish to say except giving my condolences to families is this: I AM JEWISH!
chain of Israeli youth after the attack
Tuesday 4 November 2014
Different standards
Do you remember Orwell's "Animal farm" with it's (somewhat changed from the original) law that: "All animals are equal. some are more equal."?
I have written here so many times about so called pro-Palestinian activists that they (in vast majority, I know there probably are exceptions) care nothing about Palestinians and all they really want is to demonize and destroy Israel. And so many times I pointed to the fact that if one can't blame Israel the fate of Palestinians is irrelevant to all these "activists" (apparatchiks sounds more like it to me).
Well, here is another story confirming it.
Egypt in the aftermath of terror attacks on Sinai is destroying homes in Gaza creating buffer zone.
But look at the article. Does it say anything about genocide? Hurting children? Terror against civilians? Heart-breaking stories? No, it is actually very up-to-date and factual and covers some minimum of the story.
Now imagine had it been Israel destroying buildings from which rockets are fired (last ones only this weekend, not reported) to create buffer zone. How much rage and hatred towards Israel, all her inhabitants and Jews everywhere would have been split? Well, I guess you can guess how much...
On Friday Hamas has broken cease-fire firing the rocket into Israel. Israel responded by closing the border pass after which it was accused of... breaking cease-fire. Apparently firing rockets on Israel is allowed. Rafah crossing (between Gaza and Egypt) remains closed since terror attacks on Sinai yet nobody is protesting.
But as I said, it is Orwellian. Thing is: nobody, but NOBODY is happy in Orwellian world. Let's protest against its creation (for example letting BBC know what we think about such double standards of reporting)
I have written here so many times about so called pro-Palestinian activists that they (in vast majority, I know there probably are exceptions) care nothing about Palestinians and all they really want is to demonize and destroy Israel. And so many times I pointed to the fact that if one can't blame Israel the fate of Palestinians is irrelevant to all these "activists" (apparatchiks sounds more like it to me).
Well, here is another story confirming it.
Egypt in the aftermath of terror attacks on Sinai is destroying homes in Gaza creating buffer zone.
But look at the article. Does it say anything about genocide? Hurting children? Terror against civilians? Heart-breaking stories? No, it is actually very up-to-date and factual and covers some minimum of the story.
Now imagine had it been Israel destroying buildings from which rockets are fired (last ones only this weekend, not reported) to create buffer zone. How much rage and hatred towards Israel, all her inhabitants and Jews everywhere would have been split? Well, I guess you can guess how much...
On Friday Hamas has broken cease-fire firing the rocket into Israel. Israel responded by closing the border pass after which it was accused of... breaking cease-fire. Apparently firing rockets on Israel is allowed. Rafah crossing (between Gaza and Egypt) remains closed since terror attacks on Sinai yet nobody is protesting.
But as I said, it is Orwellian. Thing is: nobody, but NOBODY is happy in Orwellian world. Let's protest against its creation (for example letting BBC know what we think about such double standards of reporting)
Sunday 2 November 2014
Colonel Patterson (the story about Jewish Legion)
Have you seen the movie "The Ghost and the Darkness"? It is the story of two men-eaters that have stopped the building of trans-African railway in British Eastern Africa (today's Kenya) by the end of XIX century.
The movie is based on true story and these two lions were the only animals ever debated on by British Parliament (after all halting the building of prestigious railway and killing over 130 people was not common).
The hero of the story was British colonel John Patterson. He was colonel, engineer, writer (he has written few books about his work which still constitute great read) and Zionist.
How come the last? Well, he was British protestant believing in the cause of re-establishing Jewish state, but most importantly (from this viewpoint) he was organizer and commander of the Jewish Legion, first Jewish military force in Middle East since the Bar Kochba uprising. It was some 2,000 men strong with such personalities as Ben Gurion, James de Rothschield or Jacob Epstein. They took part in Allenby's assault on Meggido (Armageddon).
After the action the Legion was inspected by the brigadier known for his vicious antisemitic sentiments. Stalking the ranks he finally found what he'd been looking for - some minor infraction such as unpolished button or untied shoelace. He had dragged the offending private by the lapels screaming to his face: "You dirty little Jew!".
Colonel Patterson immediately ordered "fix bayonets". The battalion obeyed to the man. Another order to about-face and they have formed the classic hollow with very lonely brigadier inside the sea of steal. Patterson demanded apologies to the private. The brigadier didn't have it in him to object. He apologized. Colonels do not sic their battalions on brigadiers and had Patterson not had the reputation he enjoyed he might have been very well shot. As it was his case was partially upheld and he survived.
Colonel's wish, when he was dying in 1947, was to be buried alongside his soldiers from the Jewish Legion. He supported wholeheartedly the case of creating the State of Israel.
Many years later his wish was fulfilled. This November 10th, in presence of British and Israeli military delegations and Israeli president colonel's ashes together with his wife's ashes will be put to rest in Moshav Avichail, a village north of Netanya founded by Jewish Legion soldiers.
The movie is based on true story and these two lions were the only animals ever debated on by British Parliament (after all halting the building of prestigious railway and killing over 130 people was not common).
The hero of the story was British colonel John Patterson. He was colonel, engineer, writer (he has written few books about his work which still constitute great read) and Zionist.
How come the last? Well, he was British protestant believing in the cause of re-establishing Jewish state, but most importantly (from this viewpoint) he was organizer and commander of the Jewish Legion, first Jewish military force in Middle East since the Bar Kochba uprising. It was some 2,000 men strong with such personalities as Ben Gurion, James de Rothschield or Jacob Epstein. They took part in Allenby's assault on Meggido (Armageddon).
After the action the Legion was inspected by the brigadier known for his vicious antisemitic sentiments. Stalking the ranks he finally found what he'd been looking for - some minor infraction such as unpolished button or untied shoelace. He had dragged the offending private by the lapels screaming to his face: "You dirty little Jew!".
Colonel Patterson immediately ordered "fix bayonets". The battalion obeyed to the man. Another order to about-face and they have formed the classic hollow with very lonely brigadier inside the sea of steal. Patterson demanded apologies to the private. The brigadier didn't have it in him to object. He apologized. Colonels do not sic their battalions on brigadiers and had Patterson not had the reputation he enjoyed he might have been very well shot. As it was his case was partially upheld and he survived.
Colonel's wish, when he was dying in 1947, was to be buried alongside his soldiers from the Jewish Legion. He supported wholeheartedly the case of creating the State of Israel.
Many years later his wish was fulfilled. This November 10th, in presence of British and Israeli military delegations and Israeli president colonel's ashes together with his wife's ashes will be put to rest in Moshav Avichail, a village north of Netanya founded by Jewish Legion soldiers.
Tuesday 28 October 2014
Museum of the History of Polish Jews
Today in Warsaw the main exhibition in the Museum of the History of Polish Jews is being opened. The museum itself has been organizing different events and temporary exhibitions for some time but only today it is opening its main exhibition.
Jews started arriving to Poland in XI century so it is really 1,000 years of common history. Main bulk of Jewish people arrived after the Black Death period in Europe as they were accused for causing the plague and often murdered and tortured for it.
Although the plague didn't pass Poland her king at the time (having himself Jewish mistress for years and being opened for people from different backgrounds) let them come and settle in Poland including in the vicinity of the capital (at that time) - Krakow.
Time were good (or excellent) and bad (sometimes, e.g. during Ukrainian revolt of XVII century - awful) for both nations but it was all manageable. Jewish people had their Parliament of Four Regions which meant quite a lot of self governing. Before II WW in Poland lived 3.5 million Jews (that's why it was in occupied Poland that Nazis built their death camps) and every third person living in Warsaw before the war was Jewish.
It was all destroyed during the war and the trauma of it and many things that took place at the time lasted till very recently.
But when I look at the newly opened museum - one dedicated to life not to death, to the history of living, working, worshiping, learning and not to dying I am very happy.
Last but not least I am specially happy that during opening celebration Presidents of both Poland and Israel were present (it was the very first foreign visit of Mr Rivlin - the newly elected President of Israel)!
And here is one of the places on main exhibition - fully reconstructed XVII century synagogue :)
Jews started arriving to Poland in XI century so it is really 1,000 years of common history. Main bulk of Jewish people arrived after the Black Death period in Europe as they were accused for causing the plague and often murdered and tortured for it.
Although the plague didn't pass Poland her king at the time (having himself Jewish mistress for years and being opened for people from different backgrounds) let them come and settle in Poland including in the vicinity of the capital (at that time) - Krakow.
Time were good (or excellent) and bad (sometimes, e.g. during Ukrainian revolt of XVII century - awful) for both nations but it was all manageable. Jewish people had their Parliament of Four Regions which meant quite a lot of self governing. Before II WW in Poland lived 3.5 million Jews (that's why it was in occupied Poland that Nazis built their death camps) and every third person living in Warsaw before the war was Jewish.
It was all destroyed during the war and the trauma of it and many things that took place at the time lasted till very recently.
But when I look at the newly opened museum - one dedicated to life not to death, to the history of living, working, worshiping, learning and not to dying I am very happy.
Last but not least I am specially happy that during opening celebration Presidents of both Poland and Israel were present (it was the very first foreign visit of Mr Rivlin - the newly elected President of Israel)!
And here is one of the places on main exhibition - fully reconstructed XVII century synagogue :)
Thursday 23 October 2014
Another terror attack
In Jerusalem, yesterday, a terrorist with connections to Hamas has smashed with his car into the group of passengers awaiting Jerusalem light railway. Eight people were injured and a 3-month-old baby girl, thrown from her buggy, was killed. She was thrown with such a force that after flying through 20-30 meters (70-90 feet) in the air she fell headfirst into the pavement. Despite prompt medical action she succumbed to her injuries few hours later.
It was the first time for her in Jerusalem. She was American citizen.
It was her last time in Jerusalem.
Her parents tried for years to have a baby. One act of murderous antisemitism has taken them and her everything.
Pray for her please
It was the first time for her in Jerusalem. She was American citizen.
It was her last time in Jerusalem.
Her parents tried for years to have a baby. One act of murderous antisemitism has taken them and her everything.
Pray for her please
Wednesday 15 October 2014
Simcha Torah plus the good article
Today at sundown there will start the holiday of Simcha Torah culminating the week of Sukkot.
Simcha Torah means "the joy of Torah" and this day people are celebrating, dancing, and even small children are allowed to touch the Torah scrolls. It is a very joyful occasion!
I enclose some pictures below:
Also I would like to share with you the very interesting article by rabbi Jonathan Sacks who is the retired rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth.
here is the link
I watch with growing not even uneasiness but slowly horror how antisemitism is returning to Europe. And it is a frightening perspective for all of us as it is absolutely not only about Jews - just as it is stated in the article. If you would like to share your thoughts on this article remember you are very much welcome to do so.
Hag Sameach!
Simcha Torah means "the joy of Torah" and this day people are celebrating, dancing, and even small children are allowed to touch the Torah scrolls. It is a very joyful occasion!
I enclose some pictures below:
here is the link
I watch with growing not even uneasiness but slowly horror how antisemitism is returning to Europe. And it is a frightening perspective for all of us as it is absolutely not only about Jews - just as it is stated in the article. If you would like to share your thoughts on this article remember you are very much welcome to do so.
Hag Sameach!
Thursday 11 September 2014
Unexpected Egyptian offer
During last few days important though contradictory pieces of information considering Palestinians, Egypt and Fatah have been released in media.
According to the information first relieved by Palestinian Ma'an Service Agency (established on West Bank ruled by Palestinian Authority) Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has offered the great territory on Sinai Peninsula for the purpose of establishing - together with Gaza and parts of West Bank under Fatah control - state of Palestine. Ma'an quotes supposed words of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as “They [the Egyptians] are prepared to receive all the refugees, [and are saying] ‘Let’s end the refugee story.’” “But,” he insisted, “It’s illogical for the problem to be solved at Egypt’s expense. We won’t have it.” Thus - not for the first time - Abbas has effectively refused possibility of creating independent Palestine! It is not, after all, his goal.
Following release of this piece of news Israeli and than American media have claimed the story, here it is as appeared in Fox News.
The story caused some optimism though later on it was demented by both Palestinian and Egyptian sources; still, only after it has became the news.
Let's try to examine why would Egypt make such an offer, why would Abbas reject it and why would both parties insist on this never happening.
Facing the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran, and the rise of jihadist forces from al-Qaida to the Islamic State to the Muslim Brotherhood, the non-jihadist Sunnis no longer believe that the prolongation of the Palestinian jihad against Israel is in their interest. Syria and Lebanon have already suffered and have been damaged probably beyond repair (at least when it comes to Syria) by jihadist, mostly shi'ia movements.
Hamas at this point poses the threat to both Egypt and Jordan (together with other terrorist movements dangerous for Jordanian Kingdom possibly no less than Black September in 1970). Egypt, involved in struggle with Muslim Brotherhood (whose child Hamas is) and touched directly by terrorist attacks by Hamas on its own territory (to the extend of helping Israel militarily in this last campaign) has to be specially cautious about guarding its border.
Egypt's offer is far from altruistic, neither does it want to make things much easier for Israel nor for Palestinians. It is coldly calculated, self-serving offer which - when it comes to geopolitics - is probably the best approach. It may be learned also from conditions Egypt has demanded to be met by Palestinians if the offer would have to be sustained. The future Palestine would have to be demilitarized and ruled by Fatah (under no condition by Hamas). Thus it would have allowed Egypt to answer some of its own security demands.
So, why would Abbas reject such an offer not only allowing for Palestine Autonomy to move to the stage of independent state but also guaranteeing him personally status of the first president of such entity?
The only logical answer is in the politics, economics and origins of PA authorities. Their narrative is totally based on blaming Israel for everything and they live on the legend of former Nazi perpetrator Haj Amin al-Hussaini - the man responsible to the great extent for 1948 war of independence. As generation upon generation of Palestinian children had been brought up on the rabidly antisemitic narrative, taught about "right of return" and hatred towards Jews was more important than Quran in their training Abbas is not prepared (and possibly does not believe that his subjects are) for changing of narrative and giving up some of it even for the price of giving up independent and larger Palestine.The fate of thousands of Palestinian refugees (specially those trapped in Syria in desperate situation) is obviously indifferent for him (as could be expected and was articulated by both Arafat and Abbas). Abbas may even be afraid of loosing both power and life if he changes narrative thus becoming hostage of his own myths.
Specially that independent state of Palestine wold have been trouble for him. Having a country to run means having to think about supplying it in electricity and water (something Israel is doing for them right now), caring about budget (something Europe and the USA are taking care of), education (for the moment UNRWA pays the bills) or medical care (again on more than basic level it usually is Israel that does the job). Fatah is for years a ruling party yet in its rhetoric and approach it acts as the opposition. Abbas, for very down-to-earth reasons is against creating the state of Palestine.
Why does Egypt deny making an offer is in this situation relatively easy to guess. Since it rejection it may not be counted as gain (solving refugee and security problems) and many in Arab world would blame Egypt for doing something - good for Palestinians and Egyptians as it would have been - which would help solve some Israeli problems.
Lastly - today's news shows that Saudi Arabia has had enough of Hamas as well.
And yet it is the first solution in the Middle East which could have brought lasting peace for so many. Is there anybody who could force Abbas to reconsider or accept offer? Yes, that would have been EU (the biggest donor of taxpayer's money to Palestinian Authority) and the USA. Abbas lives at their expense. If they really want (Europe specially, with its 500 million euro yearly donation to PA) to act towards peace and solving Palestinian problems it is time to put some pressure on their client. But will Europe overcome its anti-Israeli narrative, its prejudices and bureaucracy? Let's hope so as - if the offer was really made - it is the best chance in years to solve some problems.
According to the information first relieved by Palestinian Ma'an Service Agency (established on West Bank ruled by Palestinian Authority) Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has offered the great territory on Sinai Peninsula for the purpose of establishing - together with Gaza and parts of West Bank under Fatah control - state of Palestine. Ma'an quotes supposed words of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as “They [the Egyptians] are prepared to receive all the refugees, [and are saying] ‘Let’s end the refugee story.’” “But,” he insisted, “It’s illogical for the problem to be solved at Egypt’s expense. We won’t have it.” Thus - not for the first time - Abbas has effectively refused possibility of creating independent Palestine! It is not, after all, his goal.
Following release of this piece of news Israeli and than American media have claimed the story, here it is as appeared in Fox News.
The story caused some optimism though later on it was demented by both Palestinian and Egyptian sources; still, only after it has became the news.
Let's try to examine why would Egypt make such an offer, why would Abbas reject it and why would both parties insist on this never happening.
Facing the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran, and the rise of jihadist forces from al-Qaida to the Islamic State to the Muslim Brotherhood, the non-jihadist Sunnis no longer believe that the prolongation of the Palestinian jihad against Israel is in their interest. Syria and Lebanon have already suffered and have been damaged probably beyond repair (at least when it comes to Syria) by jihadist, mostly shi'ia movements.
Hamas at this point poses the threat to both Egypt and Jordan (together with other terrorist movements dangerous for Jordanian Kingdom possibly no less than Black September in 1970). Egypt, involved in struggle with Muslim Brotherhood (whose child Hamas is) and touched directly by terrorist attacks by Hamas on its own territory (to the extend of helping Israel militarily in this last campaign) has to be specially cautious about guarding its border.
Egypt's offer is far from altruistic, neither does it want to make things much easier for Israel nor for Palestinians. It is coldly calculated, self-serving offer which - when it comes to geopolitics - is probably the best approach. It may be learned also from conditions Egypt has demanded to be met by Palestinians if the offer would have to be sustained. The future Palestine would have to be demilitarized and ruled by Fatah (under no condition by Hamas). Thus it would have allowed Egypt to answer some of its own security demands.
So, why would Abbas reject such an offer not only allowing for Palestine Autonomy to move to the stage of independent state but also guaranteeing him personally status of the first president of such entity?
The only logical answer is in the politics, economics and origins of PA authorities. Their narrative is totally based on blaming Israel for everything and they live on the legend of former Nazi perpetrator Haj Amin al-Hussaini - the man responsible to the great extent for 1948 war of independence. As generation upon generation of Palestinian children had been brought up on the rabidly antisemitic narrative, taught about "right of return" and hatred towards Jews was more important than Quran in their training Abbas is not prepared (and possibly does not believe that his subjects are) for changing of narrative and giving up some of it even for the price of giving up independent and larger Palestine.The fate of thousands of Palestinian refugees (specially those trapped in Syria in desperate situation) is obviously indifferent for him (as could be expected and was articulated by both Arafat and Abbas). Abbas may even be afraid of loosing both power and life if he changes narrative thus becoming hostage of his own myths.
Specially that independent state of Palestine wold have been trouble for him. Having a country to run means having to think about supplying it in electricity and water (something Israel is doing for them right now), caring about budget (something Europe and the USA are taking care of), education (for the moment UNRWA pays the bills) or medical care (again on more than basic level it usually is Israel that does the job). Fatah is for years a ruling party yet in its rhetoric and approach it acts as the opposition. Abbas, for very down-to-earth reasons is against creating the state of Palestine.
Why does Egypt deny making an offer is in this situation relatively easy to guess. Since it rejection it may not be counted as gain (solving refugee and security problems) and many in Arab world would blame Egypt for doing something - good for Palestinians and Egyptians as it would have been - which would help solve some Israeli problems.
Lastly - today's news shows that Saudi Arabia has had enough of Hamas as well.
And yet it is the first solution in the Middle East which could have brought lasting peace for so many. Is there anybody who could force Abbas to reconsider or accept offer? Yes, that would have been EU (the biggest donor of taxpayer's money to Palestinian Authority) and the USA. Abbas lives at their expense. If they really want (Europe specially, with its 500 million euro yearly donation to PA) to act towards peace and solving Palestinian problems it is time to put some pressure on their client. But will Europe overcome its anti-Israeli narrative, its prejudices and bureaucracy? Let's hope so as - if the offer was really made - it is the best chance in years to solve some problems.
Sunday 31 August 2014
UNRWA
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) was created in December 1949. Originally designed for helping both Jewish and Arab refugees of 1948 war both inside and outside the State of Israel it ceased operations inside Israel in 1952 when Israel took whole responsibility for these of her residents/ citizens who used to be refugees.
Originally undoubtedly UNRWA was trying to base it actions on UNRRA experience, as United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Organization, funded in 1943, included in UN in 1945 (after it was established) was especially active in 1945 and 1946 and dismantled in 1947.
Only in 1950 did UN establish its agenda designed to deal generally with refugees from all conflicts (UNHCR) and defined who is (and who is not) a refugee and what expectations should be meet by the agenda, but it never unified UNRWA and UNHCR definitions, goals and methods of dealing with problem thus creating very special "cast" among all touched by results of conflicts and border changes. Palestinian "refugees" (of whom majority would never been recognized as such by UNHCR at this time) receive the global highest financial help per capita, are entitled to inherit their status (which vastly adds to the problem) and are absolutely convinced (at least in great part) about UN backed so called "right of return" being in sharp contrast with any rights of any refugees anywhere else.
Let us look more closely at the problem.
1. Palestinians inheriting their refugee status: originally according to different sources there has been between 500,000 and 750,000 Arab refugees of 1948 conflict. Most sources put the number at approximately 650,000 people. Today UNRWA claims to take care about more than 5 million refugees. No other group of refugees ever has been entitled to pass this status to their children and grandchildren. Let us try to explore what would it mean if Palestinian Arabs were treated equally:
3. UNHCR has stated three equivalent solutions for refugees: voluntary repatriation; local integration; or resettlement to a third country in situations where it is impossible for a person to go back home or remain in the host country. It regards ALL but Palestinian refugees. UNRWA, by contrast, emphasizes "right of return", as understood by by Arab propaganda, consequently preventing people from rebuilding their lives and creating them for their children, be it in Palestinian controlled territories or anywhere else. Instead, people are kept in a state of dreaming about "return" to someplace that only their grandparents might have seen. They live the dream and raise their kids to fulfill it with murder and sacrificing their lives, if need be. As it goes for generations it may be compared to third generation of Germans whose grandparents were forced out of Czechoslovakia or Romania or Poland after the war. If they were living just dreaming about going someday - maybe in 2-3 generations - "home" their presence in contemporary Europe would have been like time-bomb. Specially had they preserved Nazi views and had on average 5 children per woman. The same goes for Poles forced of their homes due to change of borders with Soviet Union in 1945 or the Irish forced out of Home Island by Great Famine and now their descendants dreaming about taking both islands (UK included) because it was their "home". Would we feed such dreams or step back in horror?
There is one more problem with UNRWA: it is an old organization. With workforce of over 30,000 people, mostly Palestinians who live out of donations to it it is now "a nation of its own" as someone has described it. To many people with their families and status depend on preserving status quo: same stories, same propaganda, same life-patterns, same dependency. They were taught it and taught very well. They adapted to this situation and as all of us knowing some kind of situation with its upsides and downsides are familiar with it and they dread changes, even for good, because one has to adapt to changes, change the way of thinking and behaving and solving problems. This could be seen in former communist countries where people, even dreaming about a change found it challenging because they had to adapt to new realities, find their ways, take new responsibilities, learn new tricks (like an old dog). In UNRWA controlled settlements very few are ready for a challenge of changes - even ones for better for them and their neighbors. And maybe this preservation of mentality (we will fight, kill, be killed, one day return, murder all Jews, our home is someplace else) by obstructing forces that would move these people into different patterns is the worst thing UNRWA does - to both Palestinians and Israelis.
Originally undoubtedly UNRWA was trying to base it actions on UNRRA experience, as United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Organization, funded in 1943, included in UN in 1945 (after it was established) was especially active in 1945 and 1946 and dismantled in 1947.
Only in 1950 did UN establish its agenda designed to deal generally with refugees from all conflicts (UNHCR) and defined who is (and who is not) a refugee and what expectations should be meet by the agenda, but it never unified UNRWA and UNHCR definitions, goals and methods of dealing with problem thus creating very special "cast" among all touched by results of conflicts and border changes. Palestinian "refugees" (of whom majority would never been recognized as such by UNHCR at this time) receive the global highest financial help per capita, are entitled to inherit their status (which vastly adds to the problem) and are absolutely convinced (at least in great part) about UN backed so called "right of return" being in sharp contrast with any rights of any refugees anywhere else.
Let us look more closely at the problem.
1. Palestinians inheriting their refugee status: originally according to different sources there has been between 500,000 and 750,000 Arab refugees of 1948 conflict. Most sources put the number at approximately 650,000 people. Today UNRWA claims to take care about more than 5 million refugees. No other group of refugees ever has been entitled to pass this status to their children and grandchildren. Let us try to explore what would it mean if Palestinian Arabs were treated equally:
- there seem to be between 35,000 and 40,000 people who actually were refugees from the conflict still living. I have no idea how many are living at the UNRWA controlled facilities yet taking (even very good) care about 40,000 old people hardly requires special UN agenda with billion dollar budget and 30,000 regular employees Most of the refugees from around the same time would not be recognized as such by anybody anyway. Let us try:
- after II WW there where around 5 million Russian displaced persons, as a result of changing borders you can add some 2-3 million Poles, 2 million Germans, many Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians and of course virtually all Jews who survived! Their grandchildren constitute vast number of EU citizens and do not expect anybody to pay them for the horrors their grandparents went through.
- There were some 900,000 Jewish refugees of 1948 conflict mostly evicted from all Arab countries, often without any possessions and after being jailed or even tortured. Their fell out of UNRWA attention at most in 1952 and their grandchildren do not carry "refugee" label or demand international money and "right of return" to wherever it was their grandparents were forced from.
- Tibetan refugees from occupation of Tibet by China (lasting since 1950) have this status only until some solution can be found. UNHCR on the basis of Gentleman Agreement with the government of Nepal mostly works towards resettling them there and none of their children or grandchildren is treated as "refugee" although their bonds with Tibet are obvious for everybody
- and there were Congo and Angola and South Sudan and Rwanda and Cambodia and.... yeah, we know
3. UNHCR has stated three equivalent solutions for refugees: voluntary repatriation; local integration; or resettlement to a third country in situations where it is impossible for a person to go back home or remain in the host country. It regards ALL but Palestinian refugees. UNRWA, by contrast, emphasizes "right of return", as understood by by Arab propaganda, consequently preventing people from rebuilding their lives and creating them for their children, be it in Palestinian controlled territories or anywhere else. Instead, people are kept in a state of dreaming about "return" to someplace that only their grandparents might have seen. They live the dream and raise their kids to fulfill it with murder and sacrificing their lives, if need be. As it goes for generations it may be compared to third generation of Germans whose grandparents were forced out of Czechoslovakia or Romania or Poland after the war. If they were living just dreaming about going someday - maybe in 2-3 generations - "home" their presence in contemporary Europe would have been like time-bomb. Specially had they preserved Nazi views and had on average 5 children per woman. The same goes for Poles forced of their homes due to change of borders with Soviet Union in 1945 or the Irish forced out of Home Island by Great Famine and now their descendants dreaming about taking both islands (UK included) because it was their "home". Would we feed such dreams or step back in horror?
There is one more problem with UNRWA: it is an old organization. With workforce of over 30,000 people, mostly Palestinians who live out of donations to it it is now "a nation of its own" as someone has described it. To many people with their families and status depend on preserving status quo: same stories, same propaganda, same life-patterns, same dependency. They were taught it and taught very well. They adapted to this situation and as all of us knowing some kind of situation with its upsides and downsides are familiar with it and they dread changes, even for good, because one has to adapt to changes, change the way of thinking and behaving and solving problems. This could be seen in former communist countries where people, even dreaming about a change found it challenging because they had to adapt to new realities, find their ways, take new responsibilities, learn new tricks (like an old dog). In UNRWA controlled settlements very few are ready for a challenge of changes - even ones for better for them and their neighbors. And maybe this preservation of mentality (we will fight, kill, be killed, one day return, murder all Jews, our home is someplace else) by obstructing forces that would move these people into different patterns is the worst thing UNRWA does - to both Palestinians and Israelis.
Tuesday 26 August 2014
Pallywood
Pallywood is the name Israelis and organizations like Honest Reporting give to staged movies and scenes that are sometimes used by Western media to show "Israeli atrocities". On many occasions it has been proven that these movies are faked, staged and it is easy to prove yet so many Western media either fall for it or - unfortunately - happily cooperate in spreading such lies!
Here are some examples (the best one I will leave for a dessert)
injured recovers just in seconds
faking head injury
sometimes it doesn't go so smooth
funerals may sometimes seem like resurrections
THIS IS A MUST SEE where even a Jewish baby injured by Hamas rocket is sold as "Gazan victim"
Here is a link to a documentary about so called Pallywood.
Didn't I promise the best for a dessert?
You may not be familiar with it but there is an Indian movie from 1975 called "Sholay" shot in Karnataka, Southern India, here is a scene from this movie used just days ago by Al Jazeera as... you guessed - "live from Gaza"
Please make these pieces of art available if you want to have less fiction passing for facts for propaganda reasons.
Here are some examples (the best one I will leave for a dessert)
injured recovers just in seconds
faking head injury
sometimes it doesn't go so smooth
funerals may sometimes seem like resurrections
THIS IS A MUST SEE where even a Jewish baby injured by Hamas rocket is sold as "Gazan victim"
Here is a link to a documentary about so called Pallywood.
Didn't I promise the best for a dessert?
You may not be familiar with it but there is an Indian movie from 1975 called "Sholay" shot in Karnataka, Southern India, here is a scene from this movie used just days ago by Al Jazeera as... you guessed - "live from Gaza"
Thursday 21 August 2014
Tykocin
I have just came back from a long weekend in Biebrza National Park, beautiful lowland at the east of Poland. There is also small and sleepy town near protected area called Tykocin with a long history and I would like to show you some of it and tell a bit about it.
The village was established sometime in XI century and originally it was just a small settlement but in XV century it was given the status of town and started its quick development. Having great protectors among wealthy gentry to whom it belonged (changing hands due to political issues) it developed well although with some hassle around middle XVII century (Swedish wars) and by the end of XVIII century when Poland lost her independance.
First Jewish families settled here in 1522 and the Jewish community was developing rapidly with the protection of Polish kings. By 1800 Jews constituted 70% of Tykocin's population and it was the second greatest and most important Jewish community after Cracow. As far as I know it was also always peacefully coexisting with non-Jewish neighbours.
Tykocin became Polish again after regaining independence (1918) and right before II WW it had population of 5,000 half of them Jewish.
During Shoah it lost all but 1 Jewish citizens and around 400-500 non-Jewish ones (taken to concentration camps by Germans) thus loosing nearly 70% of inhabitants and civic rights (it was village again after the war). Today it is sleepy little town trying to remember its history. The synagogue devastated by Nazis during occupation was one of the first in Poland to be renovated and here's how it looks now.
As you can see at some homes you can still see the reminders of old inhabitants (this star of David by the door) and (last picture) on the new B&B names are given in Hebrew as well as in Polish
The village was established sometime in XI century and originally it was just a small settlement but in XV century it was given the status of town and started its quick development. Having great protectors among wealthy gentry to whom it belonged (changing hands due to political issues) it developed well although with some hassle around middle XVII century (Swedish wars) and by the end of XVIII century when Poland lost her independance.
First Jewish families settled here in 1522 and the Jewish community was developing rapidly with the protection of Polish kings. By 1800 Jews constituted 70% of Tykocin's population and it was the second greatest and most important Jewish community after Cracow. As far as I know it was also always peacefully coexisting with non-Jewish neighbours.
Tykocin became Polish again after regaining independence (1918) and right before II WW it had population of 5,000 half of them Jewish.
During Shoah it lost all but 1 Jewish citizens and around 400-500 non-Jewish ones (taken to concentration camps by Germans) thus loosing nearly 70% of inhabitants and civic rights (it was village again after the war). Today it is sleepy little town trying to remember its history. The synagogue devastated by Nazis during occupation was one of the first in Poland to be renovated and here's how it looks now.
Saturday 9 August 2014
Biased media reports
There is a long list of biased or untruthful media reports concerning Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza in European media.
It is truth that every foreign reporter in Gaza has its personal "guarding angel" (devil?) who takes care that they see what is meant for them to see. It is truth that those not complying with Hamas' instructions in media sometimes receive death threats (and occasionally speak about it, of course AFTER leaving Gaza but it is obvious). Still if one wants to be a reporter specially in tough places it requires some courage and moral compass and reporters are very keen on talking about their ethics code and being the forth power so it would have been nice to grow up to it - at least partly.
In Europe just during the last month we have been dealing with:
Indian TV coverage about shooting rockets.
France24 report about launching rockets from the hotel with journalists and with UN flag over it.
Finish reported confirming Hamas using civilians as human shields.
Having seen so much of biased reporting in recent days I wholeheartedly invite you to join the FB event "enough is enough" against bad reporting. You may find it here.
It is truth that every foreign reporter in Gaza has its personal "guarding angel" (devil?) who takes care that they see what is meant for them to see. It is truth that those not complying with Hamas' instructions in media sometimes receive death threats (and occasionally speak about it, of course AFTER leaving Gaza but it is obvious). Still if one wants to be a reporter specially in tough places it requires some courage and moral compass and reporters are very keen on talking about their ethics code and being the forth power so it would have been nice to grow up to it - at least partly.
In Europe just during the last month we have been dealing with:
- overusing the word "genocide" with regards to defensive actions taken by Israeli forces when in reality - depending on the source of information - 1,600 to 1,800 people in Gaza have been killed during over a month of open conflict and (according to Israeli sources) 750-1,000 of them being active Hamas terrorists. I will come back later to their identification as civilians/ terrorists but speaking purely about their number and comparing it with the number of victims in other ongoing conflicts (Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Southern Sudan or Nigeria to mention just a few, one European) the number of victims in Gaza is relatively small. And still there is no other conflict in connection with which the word "genocide" would have appeared so often if at all (even if, as with Iraqi ISIS it would have been based on facts),
- reporting the number of victims in Gaza based on Hamas' word exclusively which mean that as victims of Israel the subsequent groups were included: people who deceased due to natural causes during the conflict, people who were hit by Hamas' rockets destined for Israel that didn't make it into Israeli territory, people who were prevented from escaping their homes by Hamas (after warnings from IDF) and made into victims (or martyrs as they put it), people shot by Hamas as suspected Israeli spies (read: those who opposed Hamas in any way including insisting on evacuation). It is rather hard to count these people as victims of Israel, on the contrary - excluding those deceased due to natural causes they are all victims of Hamas and whoever cares about them should blame Hamas,
- accepting that all those without uniforms and personal weapons are civilians. Well, I don't know about any terrorist organization using (especially extensively) uniforms, do you? And not having personal weapons on you does not mean you are not involved in terrorist activities like planning terror acts, launching rockets or constructing bombs. In fact the number of civilian victims remaining to high (as any and on any side is to high) is much smaller - the usage of pictures of victims of Syrian war or car accidents or even Fogel children (Jewish children murdered on purpose by Palestinian terrorist!!!) and introducing them under false names as victims of this conflict has been detected. They are easy to find out but apparently not many were willing to look for such frauds,
- purposeful misleading information (if you prefer straight talk: lying) in media like yesterday (Friday) when some media reported that the cease-fire has ended due to Israeli fire while in reality Hamas started launching rockets on Israel 3 hours before the cease-fire was over and Israel responded only after having 17 rockets launched into her territory,
- the difference in number of victims is nearly exclusively due to completely different approach to them on both sides. While Israel is the country which protects her citizens more than any other country I know of (shelters in the south for nearly everybody mean that e.g. when rocket directly hit a building in Israel yesterday there was only one person injured) Hamas uses (abuses!!!!) Palestinians to create their bodies as anti-Israeli weapon in media thus forcing people warned by IDF to evacuate not only to stay but even to climb onto the roofs on the building under fire. It is a crime against humanity. The crime for which Hamas is to blame and it should be said aloud!
Indian TV coverage about shooting rockets.
France24 report about launching rockets from the hotel with journalists and with UN flag over it.
Finish reported confirming Hamas using civilians as human shields.
Having seen so much of biased reporting in recent days I wholeheartedly invite you to join the FB event "enough is enough" against bad reporting. You may find it here.
Sunday 3 August 2014
Death tunnels
One of the most important objectives of Operation Protective Edge was (and still is) destroying of tunnels dug by Hamas into the Israeli territory.
I have already signaled in my last post that tunnels - dug constantly over the period of some years - have cost lives of at least 160 Gaza children (and many more civilians) - victims nobody in the West is crying over as few have heard about them and even fewer are willing to make the story public.
Time and again the world sees an article about not allowing building materials to Gaza. That is far from truth (although some restrictions apply) and I have written about it already here. But the materials reaching Gaza are used for purposes I presume have not much to do with intentions of most supporters (though some intend exactly this use). Here is the graphic show of the use I mean:
This is what brings woe on the inhabitants of Gaza. But what the use of so vast tunnel system? According to gathered information - gathered for a period of time - they were prepared to use as attack tunnels to infiltrate the Israeli territory for a sole purpose of killing and kidnapping Israeli citizens. In some of the tunnels weapons were found. In some Israeli army uniforms, motorcycles or even cages for the purpose of keeping hostages were located.
It is impossible to spot those tunnels from above, even less so to destroy them in this way. So far the only way there is to learn about them is intelligence activities and searching on the ground. The only way to destroy them is by putting troops on the ground.
Some sources indicate that for this year's Rosh Hashana (Israeli New Year) which will take place on the 24th of September, the big offensive was being prepared by Hamas. The massive attacks, killings and abductions if succeeded could have taken as many lives as the attack on the WTC.
Some of the tunnels discovered were reaching 2 kilometers (1.4 mile) into the Israeli territory. Some had their openings in kibbutzim nearby. Many had not only reinforced walls (with donated materials so needed in Gaza for civilian purposes) but also phone lines and military equipment of different sorts (as stated above). Here how some of them looked:
Is there any wonder why Israel had to destroy them? Just imagine living with not only rockets falling but the threat of having your near and dear killed or kidnapped. What kind of state would allow it? Certainly one which cares not about its citizens (we all know USSR conducted "test" nuclear attack with the use of their own troops), but Israel is the kind of democracy that is protecting her citizens - the kind of democracy we would all love to live in and few of us has this opportunity.
I repeat what I said - it is horrible that people are being killed; it is horrible there is such a war but the culpable is but one - Hamas, and I ask you to put blame where it belongs.
I have already signaled in my last post that tunnels - dug constantly over the period of some years - have cost lives of at least 160 Gaza children (and many more civilians) - victims nobody in the West is crying over as few have heard about them and even fewer are willing to make the story public.
Time and again the world sees an article about not allowing building materials to Gaza. That is far from truth (although some restrictions apply) and I have written about it already here. But the materials reaching Gaza are used for purposes I presume have not much to do with intentions of most supporters (though some intend exactly this use). Here is the graphic show of the use I mean:
This is what brings woe on the inhabitants of Gaza. But what the use of so vast tunnel system? According to gathered information - gathered for a period of time - they were prepared to use as attack tunnels to infiltrate the Israeli territory for a sole purpose of killing and kidnapping Israeli citizens. In some of the tunnels weapons were found. In some Israeli army uniforms, motorcycles or even cages for the purpose of keeping hostages were located.
It is impossible to spot those tunnels from above, even less so to destroy them in this way. So far the only way there is to learn about them is intelligence activities and searching on the ground. The only way to destroy them is by putting troops on the ground.
Some sources indicate that for this year's Rosh Hashana (Israeli New Year) which will take place on the 24th of September, the big offensive was being prepared by Hamas. The massive attacks, killings and abductions if succeeded could have taken as many lives as the attack on the WTC.
Some of the tunnels discovered were reaching 2 kilometers (1.4 mile) into the Israeli territory. Some had their openings in kibbutzim nearby. Many had not only reinforced walls (with donated materials so needed in Gaza for civilian purposes) but also phone lines and military equipment of different sorts (as stated above). Here how some of them looked:
I repeat what I said - it is horrible that people are being killed; it is horrible there is such a war but the culpable is but one - Hamas, and I ask you to put blame where it belongs.
Thursday 31 July 2014
Operation Protective Edge
So many times have I written about rockets indiscriminately shoot at Israeli territory by Hamas. But apart from this problem (and really, try to imagine your country - whichever it is - to not react to such a danger to its residents - it is not the only danger brought about by terrorists from Hamas, not by far. From Gaza into both Egypt and Israel leads a network of tunnels. Those leading from Egypt are used to smuggle in weaponry into Gaza, those leading into Israel, and there are many, have been prepared for the purpose of infiltrating Israel to murder or kidnap her inhabitants. The danger is so prevailing that despite the peace between Israel and Egypt being for years a cold one both countries cooperate in preventing building and destroying existing tunnels. The problem is - in most cases this can't be done without putting soldiers on ground in Gaza and as the situation regarding tunnels has evolved to an alarming level the action had to be taken (the openings of tunnels have been found in kibbutzim near Gaza evidently prepared for terrorist activities). Additionally it has to be realized that Hamas was using children to dig them and in this process many of them had died.
Media have been informed about rocket fire that has damaged UN school (or rather UNRWA one). Not so many reported that there have been weaponry placed by Hamas in the school. UNRWA has apologized on its official site which did not prevent some of its officials to condemn Israel for attacking school. The question is: is the school (closed for vacation anyway) that serves as ammunition compound and from the vicinity of which the aggressive fire is being shoot still a school or a military installation? What would you feel about it?
The hospital in Gaza has been damaged - but NOT by Israeli troops but by a misfired rocket fired by Hamas towards Israel that didn't make it to the Israeli territory. It has been confirmed but the reporters who did it received death threads from terrorists. Same goes for hitting the refugee camp.
Inhabitants of Gaza have been sent early warnings by IDF to be able to leave targeted territories but in many cases they have been physically forced by Hamas terrorists to stay in place and act as a human shield. Tragic as it is Hamas is totalitarian power with as much regard towards its subjects as - say - Stalin in purges period when tens of thousands have been killed just to install terror in the remaining population. Yesterday Hamas has shoot 30 Palestinians under the assumption of spying for Israel. As this is absurd accusation in the situation we are dealing with they have been shot most probably for opposing Hamas (residents of Eastern Europe are familiar with practice of accusation for "spying for the USA" in early 50s - usually used to destroy potential political opponents).
Hamas has called upon Hezbollah to join in fighting against "this formation" (Israel).
The former President of Israel Simon Peres has declared that the best option would be reinstalling Fatah as the ruler in Gaza. As Abbas and his Fatah are anything but moderate as I have written here time and time again (although he is named so for an unknown reason). Therefore this shows all the murderous rage of Hamas's rule in Gaza.
Certainly there are more victims on Palestinian side (although it is hard to say how many exactly, internet users have already spotted the family perished in Syria some two years ago whose pictures are now shown as the pictures of Palestinian victims in Gaza). Still, what else is to be expected if one side to the conflict tries to protect her citizens as best as possible with the use of shelters and Iron Dome and constant preparedness whilst at the same time the other side uses its people as human shields and propaganda weapon to show in the pictures?
I feel deep regret for victims of this conflict on BOTH sides, still it is unacceptable to blame Israel for defending herself. Israel does not fire rockets constantly and indiscriminately into Gaza. She does not kidnap or murder Arab civilians, neither does she wish them to perish - on the contrary, even at this very moment the power and water supplies are delivered although as I have written here they are not paid for. The blame for the victims of the current situation and their suffering lies exclusively at Hamas's door.
Media have been informed about rocket fire that has damaged UN school (or rather UNRWA one). Not so many reported that there have been weaponry placed by Hamas in the school. UNRWA has apologized on its official site which did not prevent some of its officials to condemn Israel for attacking school. The question is: is the school (closed for vacation anyway) that serves as ammunition compound and from the vicinity of which the aggressive fire is being shoot still a school or a military installation? What would you feel about it?
The hospital in Gaza has been damaged - but NOT by Israeli troops but by a misfired rocket fired by Hamas towards Israel that didn't make it to the Israeli territory. It has been confirmed but the reporters who did it received death threads from terrorists. Same goes for hitting the refugee camp.
Inhabitants of Gaza have been sent early warnings by IDF to be able to leave targeted territories but in many cases they have been physically forced by Hamas terrorists to stay in place and act as a human shield. Tragic as it is Hamas is totalitarian power with as much regard towards its subjects as - say - Stalin in purges period when tens of thousands have been killed just to install terror in the remaining population. Yesterday Hamas has shoot 30 Palestinians under the assumption of spying for Israel. As this is absurd accusation in the situation we are dealing with they have been shot most probably for opposing Hamas (residents of Eastern Europe are familiar with practice of accusation for "spying for the USA" in early 50s - usually used to destroy potential political opponents).
Hamas has called upon Hezbollah to join in fighting against "this formation" (Israel).
The former President of Israel Simon Peres has declared that the best option would be reinstalling Fatah as the ruler in Gaza. As Abbas and his Fatah are anything but moderate as I have written here time and time again (although he is named so for an unknown reason). Therefore this shows all the murderous rage of Hamas's rule in Gaza.
Certainly there are more victims on Palestinian side (although it is hard to say how many exactly, internet users have already spotted the family perished in Syria some two years ago whose pictures are now shown as the pictures of Palestinian victims in Gaza). Still, what else is to be expected if one side to the conflict tries to protect her citizens as best as possible with the use of shelters and Iron Dome and constant preparedness whilst at the same time the other side uses its people as human shields and propaganda weapon to show in the pictures?
I feel deep regret for victims of this conflict on BOTH sides, still it is unacceptable to blame Israel for defending herself. Israel does not fire rockets constantly and indiscriminately into Gaza. She does not kidnap or murder Arab civilians, neither does she wish them to perish - on the contrary, even at this very moment the power and water supplies are delivered although as I have written here they are not paid for. The blame for the victims of the current situation and their suffering lies exclusively at Hamas's door.
Saturday 24 May 2014
How can one compare???!!!!
Do the synagogues in 1930s Germany
remind you the mosques in Israel?
Do the fate of Jews in pre - Holocaust years
remind you Israeli citizens who are Arabs?
Do Gaza in your eyes (with all its problems)
reminds you ghettos? (only in Warsaw one and during first 3 years over 100,000 people died of hunger)
Do Palestinian Authority (so often visited by tourists)
reminds you Holocaust?
If not how DARE you compare or let others compare one with the other on the very continent where it happened when people who have been through it are still alive?
remind you the mosques in Israel?
Do the fate of Jews in pre - Holocaust years
Do Gaza in your eyes (with all its problems)
Do Palestinian Authority (so often visited by tourists)
If not how DARE you compare or let others compare one with the other on the very continent where it happened when people who have been through it are still alive?
Shooting in Brussels
It just happened. We still don't know many things. But tell me, if on Sabbath, in big European city, in the place important for Jews 3 get killed and one wounded in an antisemitic attack what time do you have in mind? Isn't it Germany between Hitler's coming into power and Kristallnacht or even beginning of war?
Not only! On 24th of May 2014, on the weekend of elections into European Parliament, in Brussels, in European Union which is supposed to be so tolerant and multicultural (but where the hatred towards vanishing Jewish minority reached the level not noted for the last 50 years) 3 people outside the Jewish Museum were shot, another one severely wounded and12 treated for shock.
In an antisemitic attack reminding the one in French school or the ones in Nazi Germany people were killed because they were (or were presumed to be, as the names of the victims are not known at the moment) Jewish!!!!! Th oldest hatred coming back to Europe with applause of some far-left politicians is here.
And, for everyone of us, decent people, it is absolutely necessary to fight it as we can, everywhere we can. Otherwise we are like those turning their eyes from burning synagogues in 1930s!
Not only! On 24th of May 2014, on the weekend of elections into European Parliament, in Brussels, in European Union which is supposed to be so tolerant and multicultural (but where the hatred towards vanishing Jewish minority reached the level not noted for the last 50 years) 3 people outside the Jewish Museum were shot, another one severely wounded and12 treated for shock.
In an antisemitic attack reminding the one in French school or the ones in Nazi Germany people were killed because they were (or were presumed to be, as the names of the victims are not known at the moment) Jewish!!!!! Th oldest hatred coming back to Europe with applause of some far-left politicians is here.
And, for everyone of us, decent people, it is absolutely necessary to fight it as we can, everywhere we can. Otherwise we are like those turning their eyes from burning synagogues in 1930s!
Wednesday 14 May 2014
Sweden once again
And unfortunately again on antisemitism :(
This Monday 90-years-old president of Israel Shimon Peres was flying on official visit to Norway.
While on his route the plane's crew was informed that they are not allowed to enter Swedish air space. The formerly given permission was revoked without giving reasons.
The flight was rerouted via Denmark and arrived in Norway with delay.
President Peres is known for his seeking peaceful solutions for problems. He is Nobel Prize Winner and has opinion of willing to go into great efforts to give peace between Israel and PA. Yet obviously his plane couldn't pollute the pristine (and antisemitic) air of Sweden.
Chinese PM or Putin were recently warmly welcome in Sweden.
And just a reminder: in 2011, when even European countries joined Israel and the United States in a walk-out of the odious remarks at the U.N. by then-President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Sweden and Norway kept their seats.
This Monday 90-years-old president of Israel Shimon Peres was flying on official visit to Norway.
While on his route the plane's crew was informed that they are not allowed to enter Swedish air space. The formerly given permission was revoked without giving reasons.
The flight was rerouted via Denmark and arrived in Norway with delay.
President Peres is known for his seeking peaceful solutions for problems. He is Nobel Prize Winner and has opinion of willing to go into great efforts to give peace between Israel and PA. Yet obviously his plane couldn't pollute the pristine (and antisemitic) air of Sweden.
Chinese PM or Putin were recently warmly welcome in Sweden.
And just a reminder: in 2011, when even European countries joined Israel and the United States in a walk-out of the odious remarks at the U.N. by then-President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Sweden and Norway kept their seats.
Sunday 27 April 2014
Yom Hashoah
Tomorrow is Yom Hashoah. At 10 am in Israel siren will sound, everybody will stp, cars will sop at roads and highways and drivers will stand by them to show remembrance. Six million people have perished. Six millions!
In Poland the March of the Living will take place at the site of former death camp in Auschwitz.
Please, let us NEVER FORGET
In Poland the March of the Living will take place at the site of former death camp in Auschwitz.
Please, let us NEVER FORGET
Thursday 24 April 2014
Breaking of the 'peace' talks
Many times it seemed like peace talks between Israel and Palestinian Authority were approaching a point when something will develop, something leading to peace or at least some stabilization.
It was never so, and, sadly, it never could be so, and I will try to show you why I think so.
As I have written few times before, for example here, the goal of the Palestinian authorities has never been peace.
PLO was created BEFORE 6-days war, when Judea and Samaria were in Jordanian borders, but it was NOT directed against Jordan, no, from the very beginning its aim was the destruction of Israel. In later years when 'peace talks' with Palestinians seemed to approach some stage when decision making was expected they were invariably broken and invariably by the Palestinian side (either directly or by expressing "preconditions" that could never be met). True peace talks took part with Jordan (and peace was achieved) and with Egypt (with the same result). So why is it impossible with PA?
Let me remind you that the first war aimed at Israel's destruction, not even 24 hours after her birth, was staged by 7 Arab armies but the plot behind it was by one side (not that the others were not involved but they just went in a way along) - it was this man. And his Arab Legion was the most viscous and cruel fighter in that war. And he is one of ascendants of both Arafat and Abbas. PA is in a way a family thing and its creator is a Nazi criminal.
Also, the whole way the power is executed in the Palestinian Territory is based on being against Israel. It is not about creating the independent and able to survive economically state, it is not about creating workforce able to give people stability, work, and taxes (in place of international help it lives on now) for the state to fulfill its mission. It is not about freedom for its future citizens (as it is Arabs living in Israel enjoy infinitely more freedom than those under Palestinian authority and they never move away). Neither their rights. It is all about destruction of Israel. They teach in (UN sponsored) schools that the whole body of Israel should be Palestine, they never show Israel on maps, they name the streets and squares after terrorists and suicide bombers, they pay rents (with EU money) to the families of suicide terrorists, their whole building of power is based on being against Israel, and never, even as an addition, on what positive they want for their people. Do you really believe they are prepared to give it up? Together with power and money? After saying plainly that they won't even grant citizenship to Palestinian refugees because it would corrupt the preached like prophecy "right of return" (of all descendents of people who left Israel during 1948 war) to "their"homes". Nobody wanting to remember the facts about all refugees of that war. No - there is no way of the PA authorities, corrupted, authoritarian to keep power on the basis of what they want for their people, there is only - sadly - the hate against Israel and Jews, the only glue they kept and cherished with the Palestinian population throughout the years.
And as they can't afford peace with Israel without risking loose of power and accusations for treason (after all those years of propaganda they have built their power upon) they have to keep "peace talks" ineffectual. And they do!
Here is the Washington Post story from today about breaking the "peace talks" (by now I presume you know why quotation mark, if one side has to be determined not to achieve the pronounce goal it has to be theater not talks). Fatah (that is negotiating) has announced its reconciliation with Hamas. They tried few times but it is just few times less possible than Republicans and Democrats 're-conciliating' into one political party. So no story will follow these announcements. The Only goal of these talks of Fatah and Hamas is to break the negotiations with Israel. Israel receives on nearly daily basis rockets from Gaza launched by Hamas. Truly, they rarely cause injuries or loss of life but not because, as want some BDS activists, because they are incapable of it and just a bit more dangerous than fireworks. They are deadly! Yet the communities in Israel bordering with Gaza have pillboxes for everyone, good drill, early warning systems and Iron Dome. Yet children of those communities are suffering from nervous breakdowns and sometimes shall-shock from the early stages of life :( . Hamas is considered (and for a good reason) terrorist organization by Israel, the USA, Canada and the EU. It never ever concealed its goal to bring about new Holocaust.
Is it possible to negotiate with it? No. Is it possible to negotiate with Fatah on its (declared) way to 're-reconcile' with Hamas? NO!
So, Fatah, needing one more time excuse for breaking talks (and optimally possible to blame on Israel, yes, technically it was Israel who walked out of negotiations) decided to announce its 're-conciliation' with Hamas. Few weeks down the road we will hear that 'unfortunately' the results are not what was expected.
It was never so, and, sadly, it never could be so, and I will try to show you why I think so.
As I have written few times before, for example here, the goal of the Palestinian authorities has never been peace.
PLO was created BEFORE 6-days war, when Judea and Samaria were in Jordanian borders, but it was NOT directed against Jordan, no, from the very beginning its aim was the destruction of Israel. In later years when 'peace talks' with Palestinians seemed to approach some stage when decision making was expected they were invariably broken and invariably by the Palestinian side (either directly or by expressing "preconditions" that could never be met). True peace talks took part with Jordan (and peace was achieved) and with Egypt (with the same result). So why is it impossible with PA?
Let me remind you that the first war aimed at Israel's destruction, not even 24 hours after her birth, was staged by 7 Arab armies but the plot behind it was by one side (not that the others were not involved but they just went in a way along) - it was this man. And his Arab Legion was the most viscous and cruel fighter in that war. And he is one of ascendants of both Arafat and Abbas. PA is in a way a family thing and its creator is a Nazi criminal.
Also, the whole way the power is executed in the Palestinian Territory is based on being against Israel. It is not about creating the independent and able to survive economically state, it is not about creating workforce able to give people stability, work, and taxes (in place of international help it lives on now) for the state to fulfill its mission. It is not about freedom for its future citizens (as it is Arabs living in Israel enjoy infinitely more freedom than those under Palestinian authority and they never move away). Neither their rights. It is all about destruction of Israel. They teach in (UN sponsored) schools that the whole body of Israel should be Palestine, they never show Israel on maps, they name the streets and squares after terrorists and suicide bombers, they pay rents (with EU money) to the families of suicide terrorists, their whole building of power is based on being against Israel, and never, even as an addition, on what positive they want for their people. Do you really believe they are prepared to give it up? Together with power and money? After saying plainly that they won't even grant citizenship to Palestinian refugees because it would corrupt the preached like prophecy "right of return" (of all descendents of people who left Israel during 1948 war) to "their"homes". Nobody wanting to remember the facts about all refugees of that war. No - there is no way of the PA authorities, corrupted, authoritarian to keep power on the basis of what they want for their people, there is only - sadly - the hate against Israel and Jews, the only glue they kept and cherished with the Palestinian population throughout the years.
And as they can't afford peace with Israel without risking loose of power and accusations for treason (after all those years of propaganda they have built their power upon) they have to keep "peace talks" ineffectual. And they do!
Here is the Washington Post story from today about breaking the "peace talks" (by now I presume you know why quotation mark, if one side has to be determined not to achieve the pronounce goal it has to be theater not talks). Fatah (that is negotiating) has announced its reconciliation with Hamas. They tried few times but it is just few times less possible than Republicans and Democrats 're-conciliating' into one political party. So no story will follow these announcements. The Only goal of these talks of Fatah and Hamas is to break the negotiations with Israel. Israel receives on nearly daily basis rockets from Gaza launched by Hamas. Truly, they rarely cause injuries or loss of life but not because, as want some BDS activists, because they are incapable of it and just a bit more dangerous than fireworks. They are deadly! Yet the communities in Israel bordering with Gaza have pillboxes for everyone, good drill, early warning systems and Iron Dome. Yet children of those communities are suffering from nervous breakdowns and sometimes shall-shock from the early stages of life :( . Hamas is considered (and for a good reason) terrorist organization by Israel, the USA, Canada and the EU. It never ever concealed its goal to bring about new Holocaust.
Is it possible to negotiate with it? No. Is it possible to negotiate with Fatah on its (declared) way to 're-reconcile' with Hamas? NO!
So, Fatah, needing one more time excuse for breaking talks (and optimally possible to blame on Israel, yes, technically it was Israel who walked out of negotiations) decided to announce its 're-conciliation' with Hamas. Few weeks down the road we will hear that 'unfortunately' the results are not what was expected.
Thursday 10 April 2014
Apartheid weeks
Unfortunately all across the West we see the resurgence of the oldest hatred - antisemitism.
I was writing about it more than once. You probably have heard (or maybe even witnessed) what the "apartheid week" at the university campuses are. If so, you will know what I am referring to but if you have not come across this shameful event so far read carefully please as this is something extremely blood-chilling for me.
For the last 10 years or so western universities in many cities organize what is called "Israel Apartheid Week". Here is what wikipedia says about the event.
It makes no mystery that it is sponsored and organized by BDS, it makes no claim to being any kind of portraying truth or inviting discussion. Although it claims it is just expression of the free speech at the same time its organizers not only intimidated and bullied counter-protesters to keep silent but also sought legal measures to prohibit supporters of Israel from expressing their views.
What takes part during rallies at such event?
For example they portrait the wall between Israel and West Bank that I was writing about here as a signature of apartheid (in this instance Greece with its wall dividing it from Turkey, the USA with its wall on border with Mexico and Korea with its security wall are as apartheid as Israel from BDS's dreams.
They shutter the memory of real apartheid (system of legal segregation of different citizens according to their race or ethnicity) victims as was correctly stated by 16 African-American students who published in the campus press during IAW in 2011 that “The Students for Justice in Palestine’s labeling of Israel, an extremely diverse and vibrant country, as an apartheid state is not only false, but offensive”. Indeed when you compare the systems that historically and contemporary divided legal standpoint of their citizens on the base of ethnicity (like former South Africa), religion (contemporary majority of Islamic countries), social background (all former communist regimes in their birth phase, some of them for the whole time of existence) and alike calling Israel apartheid country is clearly shown for what it is - pure antisemitism.
But it gets worse. Some of the events, like bullying Jewish students are common, you may come across cans with labels "Palestinian children meat made by Israel" (happened on San Francisco campus few years ago) - here's the picture:
It has lead to threats of violence and violence itself.
Like this year at Galway, Ireland university campus. Apparently the freedom of speech according to those bullies is theirs and theirs only.
Who organizes it beside the BDS? Well, here's part of the answer.
What does it revel? Sadly, that the oldest hatred in the world is very much alive today.
It is not about those who misinformed try to do as they feel they should being at the worst useful idiots. It is easy enough to find facts and verify them after all. And anyway there's a huge gap between criticizing Israel policy (justified if you feel like that, just try not to conquer with Israeli media, they are pros at that :) and demonizing Israel. And even greater gap between turning against Israel (on whatever ground presumably linked to her policy) and bullying Jewish students around you. And as those gaps were crossed as if non-existing there is only ONE answer. It is pure antisemitic hatred. (After all, just for comparison, you may not like the policy of Chinese authorities but it does not - hopefully - cause you to throw your fellow Chinese student out of campus activity in - say - Birmingham, does it?)
It is not about freedom of speech. After all the same people - as you could watch in videos - try to ban, by any measure possible, those with other views from expressing their freedom of speech.
No, as correctly stated here, just calling a spade a spade, it is about destruction of Israel as the only Jewish state, it is about venting hatred on Jews, maybe it is about preparing ground for the next Holocaust (God forbid) as this type of hate speech as the introduction to Nurnberg laws and subsequent atrocities in the 30s. It hasn't started with camps, it started with hate. And hate (not debate, not expressing opinion, not showing one's views) is very much what one can see during Israeli Apartheid Week. No room here for counterarguments, it is not debate, it is calling for violence, craving to humiliate, drive to destroy.
So, in my opinion any decent man should not let it continue unchallenged (in whatever way we feel we may react, every little bit counts).
I was writing about it more than once. You probably have heard (or maybe even witnessed) what the "apartheid week" at the university campuses are. If so, you will know what I am referring to but if you have not come across this shameful event so far read carefully please as this is something extremely blood-chilling for me.
For the last 10 years or so western universities in many cities organize what is called "Israel Apartheid Week". Here is what wikipedia says about the event.
It makes no mystery that it is sponsored and organized by BDS, it makes no claim to being any kind of portraying truth or inviting discussion. Although it claims it is just expression of the free speech at the same time its organizers not only intimidated and bullied counter-protesters to keep silent but also sought legal measures to prohibit supporters of Israel from expressing their views.
What takes part during rallies at such event?
For example they portrait the wall between Israel and West Bank that I was writing about here as a signature of apartheid (in this instance Greece with its wall dividing it from Turkey, the USA with its wall on border with Mexico and Korea with its security wall are as apartheid as Israel from BDS's dreams.
They shutter the memory of real apartheid (system of legal segregation of different citizens according to their race or ethnicity) victims as was correctly stated by 16 African-American students who published in the campus press during IAW in 2011 that “The Students for Justice in Palestine’s labeling of Israel, an extremely diverse and vibrant country, as an apartheid state is not only false, but offensive”. Indeed when you compare the systems that historically and contemporary divided legal standpoint of their citizens on the base of ethnicity (like former South Africa), religion (contemporary majority of Islamic countries), social background (all former communist regimes in their birth phase, some of them for the whole time of existence) and alike calling Israel apartheid country is clearly shown for what it is - pure antisemitism.
But it gets worse. Some of the events, like bullying Jewish students are common, you may come across cans with labels "Palestinian children meat made by Israel" (happened on San Francisco campus few years ago) - here's the picture:
Like this year at Galway, Ireland university campus. Apparently the freedom of speech according to those bullies is theirs and theirs only.
Who organizes it beside the BDS? Well, here's part of the answer.
What does it revel? Sadly, that the oldest hatred in the world is very much alive today.
It is not about those who misinformed try to do as they feel they should being at the worst useful idiots. It is easy enough to find facts and verify them after all. And anyway there's a huge gap between criticizing Israel policy (justified if you feel like that, just try not to conquer with Israeli media, they are pros at that :) and demonizing Israel. And even greater gap between turning against Israel (on whatever ground presumably linked to her policy) and bullying Jewish students around you. And as those gaps were crossed as if non-existing there is only ONE answer. It is pure antisemitic hatred. (After all, just for comparison, you may not like the policy of Chinese authorities but it does not - hopefully - cause you to throw your fellow Chinese student out of campus activity in - say - Birmingham, does it?)
It is not about freedom of speech. After all the same people - as you could watch in videos - try to ban, by any measure possible, those with other views from expressing their freedom of speech.
No, as correctly stated here, just calling a spade a spade, it is about destruction of Israel as the only Jewish state, it is about venting hatred on Jews, maybe it is about preparing ground for the next Holocaust (God forbid) as this type of hate speech as the introduction to Nurnberg laws and subsequent atrocities in the 30s. It hasn't started with camps, it started with hate. And hate (not debate, not expressing opinion, not showing one's views) is very much what one can see during Israeli Apartheid Week. No room here for counterarguments, it is not debate, it is calling for violence, craving to humiliate, drive to destroy.
So, in my opinion any decent man should not let it continue unchallenged (in whatever way we feel we may react, every little bit counts).
Monday 31 March 2014
FRA report and two stories
I keep coming back to the issue of antisemitism (specially in Europe) as this always seemed to me so horrifying: after two thousand years of discrimination, after Shoah antisemitism has never really left Europe and in recent years, for various reasons, it has increased according to many sources and data collected. So if you wonder about this recurring topic I assure you it is not out of obsession (I will write soon about many issues as due to my professional duties I was recently writing much to rarely) it is out of necessity.
Just recently FRA (Fundamental Rights Agency in EU) published report about current antisemitism in 8 European countries, namely: Belgium, France, UK, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia and Sweden. I encourage you to read it, but let me share with you here the most important findings: 66% of the respondents believe antisemitism to be a problem in EU, the same percentage of Jewish parents of the school age children in EU worry about their safety because of their ethnic background or religion (over half of the parents worry about physical safety of the children). 76% of the respondents believe antisemitism is on the rise in EU and half of all people surveyed feel endangered in physical way. Nearly 60% just during the last 12 months heard opinions that Shoah (Holocaust) never happened!!!
I don't know about you but for me this level of insecurity suggests something is fundamentally wrong!Had somebody told me 2/3 of Christians in rural Egypt feel endangered I'd have no problems believing i, maybe even I would think that having been in their shoes I would expect 90% of my co-believers to be scared. But wait a minute, it is not developing country at the time of unrest, it is 8 European countries! It is something to be ashamed of an - even more - something to be understood and rectified as soon as possible as antisemitism is a kind of cancer speaking volumes about problems in society.
And stories? One is described here. In a country where it is considered rude to stare at somebody no matter how differently he/ she looks and where many kinds of religious outfit may be encountered the reactions to kippah were just... plainly rude. They were also offensive and intimidating, specially as it was in Malmo where the attacks on religious Jews and trials to set synagogue on fire occurred during last few years. I may easily imagine it is very hard to be in this situation, can you?
I have some personal experience with it. Few years ago my, at that time 7 years old, son took part in the play in which he was wearing kippah. Straight from school we went to the airport in big European capital. At the arrivals hall he went to buy himself some juice. Never in my life had I watched him with such fear and was so ready for intervention - including times when he was climbing trees, skiing down the black route (double diamond) or stepping on the bus on his own for the first time. I could tell how people were watching him, as a kind of extraterrestrial. And it should be so natural.... I must say that at this one moment I understood how hard it is to be a Jew in Europe, now, in XXI century....
Just recently FRA (Fundamental Rights Agency in EU) published report about current antisemitism in 8 European countries, namely: Belgium, France, UK, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia and Sweden. I encourage you to read it, but let me share with you here the most important findings: 66% of the respondents believe antisemitism to be a problem in EU, the same percentage of Jewish parents of the school age children in EU worry about their safety because of their ethnic background or religion (over half of the parents worry about physical safety of the children). 76% of the respondents believe antisemitism is on the rise in EU and half of all people surveyed feel endangered in physical way. Nearly 60% just during the last 12 months heard opinions that Shoah (Holocaust) never happened!!!
I don't know about you but for me this level of insecurity suggests something is fundamentally wrong!Had somebody told me 2/3 of Christians in rural Egypt feel endangered I'd have no problems believing i, maybe even I would think that having been in their shoes I would expect 90% of my co-believers to be scared. But wait a minute, it is not developing country at the time of unrest, it is 8 European countries! It is something to be ashamed of an - even more - something to be understood and rectified as soon as possible as antisemitism is a kind of cancer speaking volumes about problems in society.
And stories? One is described here. In a country where it is considered rude to stare at somebody no matter how differently he/ she looks and where many kinds of religious outfit may be encountered the reactions to kippah were just... plainly rude. They were also offensive and intimidating, specially as it was in Malmo where the attacks on religious Jews and trials to set synagogue on fire occurred during last few years. I may easily imagine it is very hard to be in this situation, can you?
I have some personal experience with it. Few years ago my, at that time 7 years old, son took part in the play in which he was wearing kippah. Straight from school we went to the airport in big European capital. At the arrivals hall he went to buy himself some juice. Never in my life had I watched him with such fear and was so ready for intervention - including times when he was climbing trees, skiing down the black route (double diamond) or stepping on the bus on his own for the first time. I could tell how people were watching him, as a kind of extraterrestrial. And it should be so natural.... I must say that at this one moment I understood how hard it is to be a Jew in Europe, now, in XXI century....
Monday 20 January 2014
Knesset's special meeting will take place in Poland
In advance of 70th anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz (which will take place next year) and on the 69th anniversary of it, January 27th, Holocaust Remembrance Day, over 60 Knesset Members will hold a special session in Auschwitz (over half of the Knesset members). Later they will meet with Polish MPs and public figures from both countries as well as from the USA and Canada (possibly other countries too).
It will be the largest Knesset delegation to Poland so far.
The two planes carrying the Knesset delegation will land at a military base in Krakow. From there the delegation members will be taken by bus to Auschwitz, where they will tour the prisoner blocks and the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, which is located in Block 27. The tour will be conducted by Education Minister Shai Piron and MK Shuli Moalem-Refaeli, both of whom gave guided group tours of Auschwitz in the past.
Following the tour the delegation will march to the Birkenau concentration camp. The march will be headed by Speaker Edelstein. In Birkenau, a memorial ceremony will be held on behalf of the Polish government, during which Edelstein, Holocaust survivors and representatives of the Polish and Russian governments will speak. More than 1,000 people are expected to take part in this ceremony.
Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein notes: “The Holocaust did not start with Auschwitz-Birkenau, but with boycotts, words and throwing stones at Jewish shop windows.” He is also particularly concerned about some of the “openly anti-Semitic” parties and politicians around the world today, especially in Europe warning that anti-Semitism “is not just a Jewish or Israeli problem alone” and that while “it starts with the Jews, it doesn’t end with the Jews.” Auschwitz, originally built as a camp for Polish prisoners of war, subsequently turned into concentration camp (it was so till the end of the war) and subsequently having its part turned into death camp for Jewish people is astounding symbol of his warning after which we may (and should as often as possible) add only the words "never again". They used to be so powerful but with history fading in European children's minds and antisemitism on the rise the words lost some of their drive at the time when they should be heard more loudly than ever! And as the awful thinks happen when good people do nothing we are all under obligation to remind what those words "Never Again!!!" stand for.
It will be the largest Knesset delegation to Poland so far.
The two planes carrying the Knesset delegation will land at a military base in Krakow. From there the delegation members will be taken by bus to Auschwitz, where they will tour the prisoner blocks and the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, which is located in Block 27. The tour will be conducted by Education Minister Shai Piron and MK Shuli Moalem-Refaeli, both of whom gave guided group tours of Auschwitz in the past.
Following the tour the delegation will march to the Birkenau concentration camp. The march will be headed by Speaker Edelstein. In Birkenau, a memorial ceremony will be held on behalf of the Polish government, during which Edelstein, Holocaust survivors and representatives of the Polish and Russian governments will speak. More than 1,000 people are expected to take part in this ceremony.
Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein notes: “The Holocaust did not start with Auschwitz-Birkenau, but with boycotts, words and throwing stones at Jewish shop windows.” He is also particularly concerned about some of the “openly anti-Semitic” parties and politicians around the world today, especially in Europe warning that anti-Semitism “is not just a Jewish or Israeli problem alone” and that while “it starts with the Jews, it doesn’t end with the Jews.” Auschwitz, originally built as a camp for Polish prisoners of war, subsequently turned into concentration camp (it was so till the end of the war) and subsequently having its part turned into death camp for Jewish people is astounding symbol of his warning after which we may (and should as often as possible) add only the words "never again". They used to be so powerful but with history fading in European children's minds and antisemitism on the rise the words lost some of their drive at the time when they should be heard more loudly than ever! And as the awful thinks happen when good people do nothing we are all under obligation to remind what those words "Never Again!!!" stand for.
Monday 13 January 2014
Ariel Sharon
Today the former PM of Israel, Ariel Sharon, who has spent last 8 years in coma after 2 strokes and died last week, is being buried. Just when I write it the funeral takes place.
Sharon was not only PM but also a soldier. He took part in 1948 independence war when Israel was attacked by 7 Arab armies not even 24 hours after its creation. He was wounded in that war and today the procession will stop in Latrun where he was wounded on its way to Sycamore Ranch where he will be buried along his wife who passed away in 2000. He took part in 6 days war in 1967 and in Yom Kippur war in 1973. Both were the deadly danger and if any of those wars (all of them defensive) had been lost it would have been like opening hell's door for all Jewish people again.
As a soldier he pursued victory, as a PM he pursued peace and made many steps towards it. His was the move to abandon Gaza strip taking all Jewish inhabitants from there. Since than (2005) the only Jew who has spent there considerable time was abducted soldier Gilad Shalit kept by Hamas for nearly 6 years and exchanged for over 1,000 convicted Palestinian terrorists.
He knew what was at stake and the fate of Israel and Jewish people, their well being, their safety, were always on his mind.
In his own words: "Before and above all else I am a Jew. My thoughts are dominated with the Jewish future."
He was a hero.
It is just worth noting that Palestinian authorities (not just ordinary people who do many things anywhere) are celebrating his death with joy in the same way as they did 9/11.
Sharon was not only PM but also a soldier. He took part in 1948 independence war when Israel was attacked by 7 Arab armies not even 24 hours after its creation. He was wounded in that war and today the procession will stop in Latrun where he was wounded on its way to Sycamore Ranch where he will be buried along his wife who passed away in 2000. He took part in 6 days war in 1967 and in Yom Kippur war in 1973. Both were the deadly danger and if any of those wars (all of them defensive) had been lost it would have been like opening hell's door for all Jewish people again.
As a soldier he pursued victory, as a PM he pursued peace and made many steps towards it. His was the move to abandon Gaza strip taking all Jewish inhabitants from there. Since than (2005) the only Jew who has spent there considerable time was abducted soldier Gilad Shalit kept by Hamas for nearly 6 years and exchanged for over 1,000 convicted Palestinian terrorists.
He knew what was at stake and the fate of Israel and Jewish people, their well being, their safety, were always on his mind.
In his own words: "Before and above all else I am a Jew. My thoughts are dominated with the Jewish future."
He was a hero.
It is just worth noting that Palestinian authorities (not just ordinary people who do many things anywhere) are celebrating his death with joy in the same way as they did 9/11.
Sunday 5 January 2014
What should be done to achieve peace and how does EU counteract it?
In any conflict (between persons, businesses or international law subjects) if mediation come into the picture the role of the mediator is to find the deepest needs of each party and try to accommodate them all. Contrary to expectation it can be done as those most important needs do not have to be conflicted. And - certainly - not all needs of all parties may be met.
For example in Israel-Egypt peace deal on the Israel's side it was security, on the Egypt's side it was regaining Sinai Peninsula. Making the last but as a demilitarized zone enabled both parties to accommodate their primary needs (sacrificing some other but it is always a case with agreements).
Equally important is the question if the deal is possible to be executed. And not only forcibly by law (as in civil law cases) but is it generally possible. The famous case of the specious deal was the Versailles Treaty finishing I WW. If the contribution Germany was to pay would have been paid (or even tried to be paid) Germany would gone bankrupt leading to revolution or alike. There were also no willing parties to try to impose it on Germany which leaded in a way to II WW showing how fictitious was the treaty.
Going back to Israeli-Palestinian treaty what would be the most important needs of the parties was there to be a treaty? For Israel certainly being recognized as Jewish state and security. On Palestinian side gaining the status of a country but is it doable? In contrast to Israel attacked not even 24 hours after independence declaration Palestine would be safe externally at least for starters but internally and specially economically it could be completely other story....
Certainly there are poor states in abundance and it is no reason for them to cease existence, but a newly-created country (had there been one) with people brought up in extremism, 50% with no work (Gaza), accustomed to relatively good conditions of living in sharp contrast to not being accustomed to paying for media and on territory with lots and lots of weaponry may be problematic both for neighbors (not only Israel, Jordan likewise) and for authorities.
What is the role of EU in it?
here it is
EU pays with taxpayer money for PA administrative staff out of which many do... nothing.
I have already written about debts towards Israel for electricity and other media. Generally speaking PA lives for Israel money when it comes to everyday needs of the people and media and on EU's money when it comes to money itself, specially paying renumerations.
Does a territory with no proper health care, no media supply, high unemployment, lots of weaponry and dependent on others for payments to administration stand a chance of creating and maintaining state? I very much doubt it.
So, if Palestine was created and - as should be expected - broke relations with Israel how will they supply energy? Will they be willing or able to buy it from neighbors? Possibly not. Will they maintain schools and health care? No. Are they to stay as a country clients of EU at the time when in many European countries pensions are being reduced and maybe soon to be gone? (Eastern Europe specially). Is the aging EU able to support one of the most demographically explosive territories as it does now together with Israel and the USA? What would be the price of not to? Intifada in Europe?
Last but not least - is it not so that "preliminary conditions", breaking negotiations and all alike is in fact escaping by PA authorities, living on (good) European money, the horrifying (to them) perspective of taking responsibility by the state? Are they already hostage of their hateful rhetoric frightened that they may get what they were bragging about and have no idea what to do with?
Tell me what do you think...
For example in Israel-Egypt peace deal on the Israel's side it was security, on the Egypt's side it was regaining Sinai Peninsula. Making the last but as a demilitarized zone enabled both parties to accommodate their primary needs (sacrificing some other but it is always a case with agreements).
Equally important is the question if the deal is possible to be executed. And not only forcibly by law (as in civil law cases) but is it generally possible. The famous case of the specious deal was the Versailles Treaty finishing I WW. If the contribution Germany was to pay would have been paid (or even tried to be paid) Germany would gone bankrupt leading to revolution or alike. There were also no willing parties to try to impose it on Germany which leaded in a way to II WW showing how fictitious was the treaty.
Going back to Israeli-Palestinian treaty what would be the most important needs of the parties was there to be a treaty? For Israel certainly being recognized as Jewish state and security. On Palestinian side gaining the status of a country but is it doable? In contrast to Israel attacked not even 24 hours after independence declaration Palestine would be safe externally at least for starters but internally and specially economically it could be completely other story....
Certainly there are poor states in abundance and it is no reason for them to cease existence, but a newly-created country (had there been one) with people brought up in extremism, 50% with no work (Gaza), accustomed to relatively good conditions of living in sharp contrast to not being accustomed to paying for media and on territory with lots and lots of weaponry may be problematic both for neighbors (not only Israel, Jordan likewise) and for authorities.
What is the role of EU in it?
here it is
EU pays with taxpayer money for PA administrative staff out of which many do... nothing.
I have already written about debts towards Israel for electricity and other media. Generally speaking PA lives for Israel money when it comes to everyday needs of the people and media and on EU's money when it comes to money itself, specially paying renumerations.
Does a territory with no proper health care, no media supply, high unemployment, lots of weaponry and dependent on others for payments to administration stand a chance of creating and maintaining state? I very much doubt it.
So, if Palestine was created and - as should be expected - broke relations with Israel how will they supply energy? Will they be willing or able to buy it from neighbors? Possibly not. Will they maintain schools and health care? No. Are they to stay as a country clients of EU at the time when in many European countries pensions are being reduced and maybe soon to be gone? (Eastern Europe specially). Is the aging EU able to support one of the most demographically explosive territories as it does now together with Israel and the USA? What would be the price of not to? Intifada in Europe?
Last but not least - is it not so that "preliminary conditions", breaking negotiations and all alike is in fact escaping by PA authorities, living on (good) European money, the horrifying (to them) perspective of taking responsibility by the state? Are they already hostage of their hateful rhetoric frightened that they may get what they were bragging about and have no idea what to do with?
Tell me what do you think...
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