Stunning and courageous text by an amazing person!

There was to be something optimistic, wasn't it?
Well, how about this.?


I don't know if I will be able to write a commentary that won't be just going in circles around this text. I just encourage you to read it and share it and for me this one Lady has done more to the cause of peace than all Muslim politicians who at whatever time declared they were doing something for peace including honored ones (specially one, I think you can guess to whom I refer).
Their was power and the world's attention and media time and life luxuries. Hers is belief, humanity, God's fear, honesty and courage.

Praise to this exceptional Lady and personal "thank you" from me for reviving some faith in humanity :)

Sickening!!!!!!

I so much wanted to tell you something optimistic this time and I have few optimistic, joyful posts in mind but after having read this I just can't write what I planned before reporting this scandal (as it is a scandal for me).

This museum uses French taxpayers money (had I knew which one it is I'd probably have written there) to praise terrorists and murderers who targeted civilians, children included, motivated by racial hatred.

Have the murder ceased to be crime in France? Or were just Israelis taken out of its protection? Would French authorities fancy if any country would subsidize exhibition showing as "freedom fighters" murderers of French citizens in Mali or Algeria or elsewhere?  (say, e.g. in latest hostage situation in work plant in Algeria)?

Do they believe Jews are legitimate targets or "just" Israelis? 

I really can't state how distasteful and outrageous it is. And I have little hope anything will be done :(

Coming back of Quisiling's Norway

Let me show you some picture divided by approximately 70 years but not by a place

There...

All of them taken in Norway, the last showing Norway's Jews deported to death camps

And now...

All of them but the one before last taken also in Norway. The first showing desecrated Jewish burial ground, the next antisemitic writing as if taken straight from the times shown on first 3 pictures, one the caricature from Norwich paper and the last one Palestinian bishop Munib Younan during his 2010 visit to Norway and Sweden where he stated: " We Arab bishops like Scandinavia, they share our latent anti-Semitism!" Truly he was honest and by the fact that this statement was accepted nobody's denying it.

Norway  was Nazi Germany close ally, it deported its Jews to death, collaborated through all war, accepted its share of Nazi gold. Quisling's regime, viciously racist and Antisemitic ended with him being put on trial and hanged. Of course he wasn't the only one collaborating or sympathizing with Nazis in Europe. But it is hard to imagine today French citizens praising Vichy regime or Slovaks praising Tiso's one and Quisling is becoming more and more praised figure among young Nordic people.

There was a time (specially when I was a child) when Scandinavia was primarily a symbol of honesty (I remember those tales about shops where there were no employees, clients were taking what they needed and leaving money, even if only few and in rural communities for a child behind iron curtain it sounded like fairy tale became true), liberty, caring for all citizens. I remember when on December night 1981 the last ferry to Stockholm before declaring marshal law in Poland was reversed to Poland. People were jumping to icy cold Baltic to escape it.

Over 30 years have passed, the world changed, now both Norway and Sweden for many (not only myself) are connected not only to wealthy (still) countries with breathtaking landscapes but also with ugly, omnipresent Antisemitism ignored or shared by authorities. Like when cementeries are desecrated, synagogues put on fire (or tried to be put on fire, in Malmo already 3 times), Jews attacked verbally if still rarely physically (yet it happens) and reprimanded by authorities that if they don't want to declare hostility towards Israel it's their fault (nobody considers seriously freedom of thought and speech or simply the fact that they are Norway's citizens and what are their politic views should not be state's problem if they are honest, law-abiding and tax-paying).

Something went very, very, very wrong there. And it looks like after 70 or 80 years we're back in 30s at least when it comes to Antisemitism.

Reflections upon first commandment and Europe

"When a Man stops believing in God he doesn’t then believe in nothing, he believes anything." these words by Gilbert K. Chesterton aren't absolutely true ;) I have met enough wonderful atheists in my life to know it but as a general rule they are true in this respect that people tend to seek greater power they may turn to, trust in, have hopes connected to. If they cease believing in God their faith may easily turn to something else, which may or may not be a problem.

Recently one very interesting and - in my opinion - pretty sad trend in Europe has emerged, showing what this 'anything' may look like. Europe becomes more and more non-religious and post-christian. For many native Europeans it is the matter of tradition (if anything at all), rather than living faith.

Nevertheless, in parallel with becoming less Christian and more (by immigration) Muslim there is yet another process in Europe, that started possibly some 80 years ago, accelerated  after WWII and resembles, in many respects, religious beliefs.
It bears some similarity to a local version of cargo cults, which developed in Polynesia during WWII, where on certain little islands, never before touched by civilization,  people were building models of planes (seen when army was using these islands) and subsequently burning them to bring new transports of  chewing gum, cigarettes and chocolate.

It is the cult of the state as something external, omnipotent and caring for its subjects (or even loving them). As indispensable as it may be state is not an absolute being from other reality (as some  Europeans feel) but something connecting us, for which we are responsible as a society.
It still isn't obvious for many that the only source of its income are taxes (so, basically, our money) and only so much can be spent for education, health, fighting unemployment, paying for agriculture (heavily subsidized), all the bureaucrats and social programs and whatever else the state is funding/ organizing/ taking care of (and, which is pretty worrisome, it is more and more hard to point anything the state isn't considering its duty to take care of, at least in Europe). Of course together with it it takes responsibility and blame for things done and not done.
More and more often one hears that the state has to teach citizens about the merit of something or another or  how they are to bring up children, how to eat, how to (not) smoke or drink, what to believe in, what to consider right or wrong.
Together with these voices I hear how a state cares for us, well, being grown up and with my own views and opinions I'd rather care for myself. However, it is becoming increasingly  hard because of  the taxes, which approach (VAT and compulsory social security included) 80% average income in some countries (not only Sweden). And I must admit that the very idea of state employees in revenue or health control or employment office deeply caring for every person like they were near and dear is preposterous. Nevertheless, we are supposed to believe it.

The state is no different from us, it spends what it takes from us, it is as good/ bad or as fair or honest as the people are. Nonetheless, the idea of "welfare state" was designed so as to convince people the state is their protector and caregiver. This benevolent entity is supposed to secure just life for its people, provide health for them and their children and take care of their retirement. Obviously it won't or if it will than for a very short time and the price will be high.

 Isn't it challenging to look at the state as we should look only at God, looking for an absolute where there is organization made by humans like us? Hoping for protection and caring and loving and understanding where there is only a legal concept and a redistribution system? Did people forfeited God for something like Babel tower where pride was speaking, trying to take place of Him?

I remember conversation God had with Samuel when Israel wanted the king "like all other nations" for the very first time. Was it a warning against what may happen when we will put man-created state at the place of God and sever links between creators (responsible citizens) and creation (state). It will never be an ideal. It can't, as we are not ideal as people and we can't create ideals. If we will take care of it with responsibility it may be good, but out of itself it will never be kind of dreamlike king or ideal community people seem to be seeking. It has no potential for it.

So let's not make God out of a state.

BTW Countries built from the bottom by citizens like Canada, Australia, the USA are more prone to this trend, apparently people still remember it is no absolute but their creation, loved and lovable, maybe,but as far from ideal as people.
And one of the greatest democracies is Israel when people still are very aware of the state's value (not 3 generations after countries they've been living in for centuries deprived them from protection or weren't able to offer it) but at the same time remember THEIR struggle for it and creating it, feel responsible and never (or nearly never) mistake it by something unearthly although it IS the only one promised by God.

A man who wasn't accused in Nuremberg trial (and should have been)

I would like to write something about a - a bit forgotten - man whose impact on history of few countries (and very destructive one) should be remembered, and whose trial in Nuremberg would not only have served justice but maybe (just maybe) could help to avoid or minimize (more probably) some  wars.

The man is Mohamed Said Haj Amin al-Hussaini, Great Mufti of Jerusalem., at the beginning British friend, later British and Jewish mortal enemy, rabidly antisemitic, great friend of Hitler, ambitious and power-thirsty, not a stranger to killing his own brethren if it could give him gain.

Cruel, intelligent, brilliant manipulator, he started career as a Turkish soldier after quitting Muslim University in Cairo. He was also British spy during the I WW believing in British promise to create "huge independent Arab kingdom" given a little bit later than Balfour declaration. He probably believed Jerusalem would count in but possibly could pass it if not for the fact that in 1917 UK has ceased Syrian and Lebanese territory to French rule (and that was supposed to be territory for Arab kingdom). The pact was secret, signed in Moscow, but after taking power over by Bolsheviks it was made public and caused Haj Amin to turn against Great Britain. He returned to Jerusalem and started working on increasing anti-British and anti-Jewish feelings among Arabs. The first riots that were his doings started in 1920 and for his role in starting them he was sentenced for 10 years by British. He escaped to newly created Transjordan (being 80% of British mandate and - as an Arab wish granted by British - being out of Jewish limits, therefore being effectively this vast Arab kingdom).
In 1922 when former mufti of Jerusalem passed away British authorities had to nominate a new one. Haj Amin, young and not scholarly, was NOT on a short list of candidates, but aiming at turning their enemy into friend again British authorities nominated him after pardoning his sentence. The aim wasn't met.
For 6 years Haj Amin was gaining support. He didn't trust educated Arabs of higher class, instead he turned towards bazaars and villages to organize and turn fanatic masses. He was the spiritus movens of riots and pogroms in 1928 in Jrusalem and 1929 in Hebron and in 1936 he started Arab strikes and later anti-British riots that turned into domestic Arab war. Over 2,000 people among Arabs were killed by Haj Amin's orders. Mostly well educated, moderate Arabs (the main crime was to good knowledge of English) therefore taking such needed middle class for the stormy period of late 1940s.
Banned from British territory he found refuge in French Lebanon and - as from 1936 he had excellent relationships with German Nazis - after supporting Iraqi antibritish movement - he foundhome in Berlin.
He was great friend of Hitler, was sending Arabs as spies behind British lines in North Africa, was the one who helped to create 2 SS divisions among Balkan Muslims, was very well aware of ongoing Holocaust and in few instances helped to prevent the victims from escaping (e.g. 4,000 Jewish children from Bulgaria who could have reached Palestine if not for his intervention).
After war he was to take place among accused in Nuremberg but French, disappointed by their loosing Syria and Lebanon helped him to stay in France. When in 1946 American seconded British demands to hand him over he was discreetly  helped to go to Cairo.
During Independence war in Israel he made sure as many Arab parties as possible are involved (for the sake of not only winning but also gaining power due to interarab disputes). In September 1948 he proclaimed Palestinian government which threatened Jordan's interest causing king Abdullah to order ceasing support for Arab Legion. As a revenge Haj Amin took part in 1951 assassination of king Abdullah.
After 1948 war he lived in Lebanon until his death in 1974. He was Yasir Arafat's uncle  and declared patriotic symbol which says volumes (when you think about his Nazi past) about Palestinian authority origins.

Manipulation

Some sources published today that professor Stephan Hawking, British physicist, joined boycott of Israel and thus removed himself from attending conference in Israel in June this year. Later it was reported that his cancellation was purely for health reasons. Now it is claimed it was the boycott after all. The match is ongoing.
I just would like to remain that leading research center for inventing ALS (the disease Hawking is suffering from) cure is Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. And that as Hadassah medical director an Arab professor was just appointed last month.
Should Hawking go on with boycotting Israel (if this is really the cause of his cancellation) and give up on Israeli cures and medicines? I think in this situation he should!!!!

How can it be called anything but Antisemitism?

In more than one country (including quite a few European ones unfortunately) there is strong movement of official, often state-sponsored bodies against Israel.
Often the members of such bodies say they are not Antisemitic but purely anti-Israeli, and anybody can criticize any country, isn't it so?

No, it isn't so obvious. Anybody can criticize any country (or rather its authorities) provided the facts are not distorted, the state is not singled out because of ethnicity/ religion, the boycott if one is proposed doesn't embrace all ideas/ products/ thoughts just because they are developed in this country, no matter what they present. And such is the case for Israel.

Last year the Scottish University of Dundee banned water from Eden Springs on the campus, because - it claimed - “it steals water from the Salukia spring in the occupied Syrian Golan, where it is bottled in the illegal Israeli settlement of Katzrin”.

Another Scottish provincial council near Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire, in 2011 prohibited the purchase of English translations of Israeli books and the distribution of these books in public libraries throughout the council's jurisdiction.
One's memory went back to the German spring of 1933, when students, professors and librarians worked on a list of “degenerate” Jewish books. The list included Stefan Zweig, Erich Maria Remarque, Thomas Mann and Heinrich Heine. In the largest event outside Berlin, 18,000 Jewish books were destroyed
It is two years since the Dunbartonshire Council prohibition made the headlines. What is the current status of Israeli books in the Scottish libraries?
The Dunbartonshire decision marks the first time that a region in Europe has been cleansed of the presence of Israeli books. It does not matter what ideas are contained in these books, it is the bare fact of their origin which is enough for them to be banned. It seems that the shocking announcement worked.
In the library’s catalogue, David Grossman appears with just two titles, bought before the banning edict; Amos Oz is present with two and Abraham Yehoshua with one, as are Nobel Laureate Shai Agnon and Yoram Kaniuk.
There are no entries at all for Batya Gur, Dorit Rabinyan, Sami Michael, Naomi Ragen (a U.S. born writer who lives in Israel), Yehuda Amichai, Orly Castel-Bloom, Dan Pagis, Emil Habibi and Michal Govrin.

I have already written about decision of Irish teachers' trade union to boycott Israel. Somebody might think there  are no other countries for Scottish or Irish universities which may be problematic. They cooperate with China, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran - no hard feeling, nice democratic countries, ain't they?
So how is it that so many countries may call themselves Muslim or Christian (till very recently Catholic teaching was law in Ireland) but the single one in the whole world, one of the smallest existing that calls herself Jewish is scolded for it?
So how is it that the only democracy in Middle East is shown as cruel state (having Arab scientists, judges - including in Supreme Court or doctors - including new medical director of Hadassa Medical Center)? And countries persecuting women, Christians, Jews (or any non-Muslims for that matter, try being Catholic or Scotch Protestant in Saudi Arabia for example), homosexuals and teaching their children hatred and preaching destruction of this only one Jewish state are nice partners for those unis? (Dublin based RCSI cooperates with Bahrain for years including time when authorities was shooting protesters in the streets 2 years ago)?
So how is it that no cultural boycott was ever in existence against culture of one country per se (including apartheid South Africa where it was limited to state sponsored activities and even them not totally, and boycott was based on the thought behind it and not the citizenship of the author)? And there is and never was anything like apartheid in Israel.
How is it that continent with such shameful record in persecution of Jews, where still are people remembering burning Jewish books, burning Jewish shops and synagogues, burning PEOPLE themselves now turns Antisemitic again?
As it is not anti-Israeli because of sth. It is Antisemitic!!!!! Killing Palestinians by Syrians is fine, killing Christians in Egypt is fine, as in Nigeria, genocides in Somalia and Darfur were fine, Tibetan suffering is sad, but Chine is oh so great (and may punish Europe banning export of socks) and one tiny, democratic nation is the world's (and Scottish and Irish unis) greatest problem as it is Jewish nation?
It is pure Antisemitism like in time of black death, like in time of nationalism being born, like in time of II WW, just redressed.